S/PV.9990 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Estonia, Germany, Norway, Poland, Romania and Ukraine to participate in this meeting. On behalf of the Council, I welcome Her Excellency Ms. Yulia Svyrydenko, Prime Minister of Ukraine. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I also invite His Excellency Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I now give the floor to Mr. Jenča. Mr. Jenča: Yesterday, the Secretary-General condemned the Russian Federation’s overnight missile and drone attacks, which killed and injured many civilians, including children, across Ukraine. According to Ukrainian officials, the Russian Federation launched 598 drones and 31 missiles against Ukraine overnight between 27 and 28 August. In the capital city of Kyiv, at least 23 people, including four children aged between 2 and 17 years, were reportedly killed. At least 64 people, including seven children, were injured. Several buildings were damaged in 33 locations across all 10 districts of the city. Most of the fatalities occurred in the Darnytskyi district of Kyiv, where a missile reportedly struck a five-story residential building, demolishing it from the first to the fifth floor. The attack also severely damaged the diplomatic premises of the delegation of the European Union in Kyiv and the British Council building. Across Ukraine, air raid sirens kept residents awake seeking shelter in nearly all regions of the country. Civilian casualties were reported in the Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Kherson regions of Ukraine. In Vinnytsia region, a Russian attack reportedly struck a train depot. Yesterday’s strikes are only the most recent in the brutal escalation of countrywide aerial attacks. Just a week ago, overnight between 21 and 22 August, Russia reportedly launched 574 drones and 40 missiles on Ukraine. As a result, one person was killed in the western city of Lviv. In the south-western Transcarpathia region, 15 people were wounded. These strikes on regions far from the front lines demonstrate the dangerously expanding geographic scope of this war. In July, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) recorded rising civilian casualties across 18 regions of Ukraine and in Kyiv city. With at least 1,674 civilian casualties  — 286 killed and 1,388 injured — July set a new, tragic record for monthly casualties since May 2022. In total, OHCHR has verified that since the start of the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, 14,054 civilians, including 730 children, have been killed in Ukraine, while 36,164 civilians, including 2,263 children, have been We are also concerned about the impact of the expanding and escalating fighting on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine as we enter the fourth winter of the full- scale war. The United Nations remains fully committed to supporting Ukrainian civilians. So far this year, together with our humanitarian partners, we have reached 3.8 million people with aid. Furthermore, targeted winter support preparations are under way for 1.7 million people through the 2025–2026 winter response plan. However, for us to be able to continue our life-saving work, scaled up and flexible donor support is urgently needed. We also continue to urge the sides to fulfil their obligations under international humanitarian law and allow for safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to civilians in need, no matter where they are or who controls the territory. The mounting death toll and devastation caused by the intensifying fighting over the summer run counter to the significant efforts over the past few months to give diplomacy a chance. The Secretary-General has welcomed the recent diplomatic efforts led by the United States, including the meeting between the Presidents of the United States and the Russian Federation in Anchorage on 15 August and the meeting between the Presidents of the United States and Ukraine and European leaders in Washington D.C. on 18 August. We also welcomed the three earlier rounds of direct talks between Ukraine and the Russian Federation in Istanbul between May and July. We commend the exchanges of prisoners of war that have continued to take place as a result of these contacts. Most recently, on 24 August, an exchange facilitated by the United Arab Emirates brought 146 prisoners home from each side. However, as large-scale attacks against civilians persist and civilian casualties rise, the current diplomatic momentum is at risk of rapidly fading if the focus on the need to end the violence and engage in genuine peace talks is not maintained. We therefore urge all concerned to urgently de-escalate the situation and redouble efforts to create conditions for inclusive diplomatic efforts towards a cessation of hostilities and a just peace. On Sunday 25 August, Ukraine marked its thirty-fourth independence day. That day also marked three and a half years of full-scale war for the people of Ukraine and Russia, which has continued to be a source of instability regionally and globally. We renew the Secretary-General’s appeal for a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire — a ceasefire that will result in a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace in Ukraine that fully upholds Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, in line with the Charter of the United Nations, international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions. The United Nations remains ready to support all efforts to this end.

I thank Mr. Jenča for his briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

I thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča very much for his insight and his contribution to this discussion. It was encouraging for Slovenia to hear both sides committing to peace this year, numerous times. However, hopes for peace are being contradicted by actions on the ground, with 2025 rapidly becoming the deadliest year of this war. In comparison to last year, civilian casualties in Ukraine have increased by almost 50 per cent. As we just heard, July set a new monthly record for civilian casualties since May 2022. Throughout the year, Russia has responded to offers of peace with drones and missiles, including the latest overnight attack, which came amid Ukraine’s efforts to secure a summit meeting between both Presidents. We are, however, stumbling on our path to peace. After months of engagement, tangible results are lacking. We must refocus our discussions on stopping the bloodshed. We need an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. Slovenia stands ready to work towards a just and lasting peace in line with the Charter of the United Nations. All nations have a right to shape their own future, and all people deserve to enjoy peace, dignity and freedom. It is time that we empower Ukrainians to do just that.

I also wish to thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča for his informative and sobering briefing. Denmark, along with France, Greece, Slovenia and the United Kingdom, supported Ukraine in its call for this urgent meeting. We did so, firm in our conviction that, when faced with a clear and blatant threat to international peace and security, the Council has a responsibility to act. Just yesterday morning, as we heard, Russian air strikes once again rained down on Ukraine, in what has been reported as the second largest wave of attacks in this brutal three-year war. Denmark strongly condemns these attacks, which killed at least 23 civilians, including four children, and injured dozens more. One of those who tragically lost their lives was a 2-year-old girl, born during Russian air strikes on Kyiv and killed by Russian air strikes on Kyiv, another life cruelly cut short by Russia’s illegal war. To the Government of Ukraine, Denmark extends its deepest condolences, and to all those who have suffered in these latest attacks. Russia consistently claims that its targets are military in nature, but their missiles have regularly hit schools, hospitals, apartment blocks and diplomatic missions. Yesterday, as we heard from the Assistant Secretary-General, the Delegation of the European Union and the British Council in Kyiv were added to this long list. These violations of international law, including international humanitarian law, are regrettably not new. They have been long documented in many reports by the human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. Looking further ahead, as in any war, if there is to be lasting peace, there must be justice and accountability. And the only just peace is one based on the Charter of the United Nations. Clear and robust security guarantees for Ukraine will also be essential for a lasting peace. Denmark and our partners have indicated a readiness to contribute to those. Our view is clear: Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security. To conclude, a few days ago, as we just heard also from the Assistant Secretary- General, we celebrated the thirty-fourth anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. It is a stark reminder of Ukraine’s inherent right to freely chart its own path, a Ukraine in which children can grow up in peace and security, not to the sound of air raid sirens. Denmark will continue to stand with Ukraine today, as Ukraine enters into its thirty-fifth year of independence. United we are strong.

First of all, I would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča for his briefing. We are gathering here today to recall the reality of the war that the Ukrainian people continue to face every day, as Mr. Jenča once again just reminded us. France condemns in the strongest terms the Russian attacks on Ukraine in recent days. The strikes that hit western Ukraine on the night of 20–21 August and those carried out on the night of 27 August on Kyiv claimed dozens of new civilian victims, including children. The shock waves from the latest strikes severely damaged the building housing the Delegation of the European Union in Ukraine and the British Council. These attacks are unacceptable, as are all past attacks. If there were any need, this barbarity once again demonstrates the urgency of ending this war, the urgency of stopping the killings and building a just and lasting peace. France expresses its full support for the victims and their bereaved families, as well as for the emergency services that were mobilized and the staff of the European Union Delegation and the British Council in Kyiv. France hails the resilience of the Ukrainian people, who have courageously resisted Russian aggression for three and a half years and who are facing its terrible consequences with a dignity that humbles us. For six months now, Ukraine has expressed its willingness to implement an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly expressed his willingness to engage in direct talks with President Vladimir Putin. The principle of a bilateral meeting was agreed upon as part of President Donald Trump’s initiative for a just and lasting peace, which France supports. However, two weeks later, the Russian President has still not responded, and Russia continues its deadly strikes on Ukrainian territory. Moscow wants us to believe that it is seeking peace. But its actions show that it has no intention of observing a ceasefire or negotiating in good faith for a lasting peace in Ukraine. Russia has only responded to multiple sincere proposals for talks by intensifying its strikes on Ukrainian territory. It has only targeted civilians in violation of the rules and principles of international law. It bears repeating: indiscriminate attacks against civilians constitute war crimes. France will continue to work resolutely alongside Ukraine and its partners towards the goal of reaching peace in accordance with international law, respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. To be sustainable, this peace must be accompanied by robust security guarantees for Ukraine. France and other European countries, alongside the United States, are committed to that goal, because Ukraine’s security is also Europe’s security.

At the outset, I would like to congratulate Panama for a successful stewardship of the Council during the month of August. I would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča for his briefing. Despite intensified international efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, Russia persists in its attacks against major urban centres, civilians and critical infrastructure. The most recent missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities, which resulted in the killing and wounding of civilians, including children, and the destruction of numerous buildings, seriously undermine efforts towards peace and demonstrate once again Russia’s utter disregard for international law and human life. The indiscriminate strikes of 27 August, which severely damaged diplomatic premises in Kyiv, including the Delegation of the European Union, represent a flagrant violation of the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic Relations and on Consular Relations. I would like to make three points. First, we are appalled by Russia’s recent attack on Kyiv, and we strongly condemn the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure, in blatant violation of international humanitarian law. We call upon Russia to cease immediately such unlawful actions. We commend all United Nations and humanitarian agencies in Ukraine for the life-saving services they provide, and we thank them for their service. Secondly, in regard to peace efforts, no negotiation can succeed while blood continues to be shed on the ground. We call for an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire as the necessary first step towards a comprehensive settlement, in full respect of Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, within its internationally recognized borders. We welcome the United States-led initiatives and the decisive efforts of President Trump to put an end to the war, and we call on Russia to stop its armed aggression and withdraw its troops from Ukraine. Any attempt to alter borders by the use of force is unacceptable and constitutes a dangerous precedent that undermines the very foundations of the international order. Thirdly, no peace imposed upon Ukraine could ever be sustainable. A permanent peace agreement cannot be decided without Ukraine. It must rest on credible and enforceable security guarantees to prevent any recurrence of aggression in the future. Greece reiterates its unwavering solidarity with the people of Ukraine, who have endured the devastating consequences of Russia’s full-scale invasion for more than three and a half years. The war must end. We stand ready to support all international efforts aimed at securing a just, sustainable and lasting peace, in full conformity with international law, the Charter of the United Nations, the relevant United Nations resolutions and the Helsinki Final Act. Dame Barbara Woodward (United Kingdom): I echo Greece’s thanks for your stewardship of the Council in August, Mr. President. I would also like thank Assistant Only yesterday, the representative of the Russian Federation stood just outside this Chamber and said to the media: “We believe in peace. We believe in diplomacy.” Yet Russia’s attack on Ukraine just the night before was one of the largest aerial attacks of its war. Russia says it believes in peace and diplomacy. Such brutal attacks say the opposite. Russia deployed nearly 600 drones and 31 missiles in an attack that hit civilians and civilian infrastructure. Among the homes and buildings destroyed in Kyiv, those of the British Council and European Union (EU) delegation suffered extensive damage. Deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure and civilian objects is a violation of international humanitarian law. At least 23 people, including four children, were killed by these strikes, and dozens more were wounded. We extend our condolences to the families and friends of those killed. It has been reported that among the children who were killed, the youngest was two years old. The Kremlin’s actions reflect no desire for peace or diplomacy that I can detect. We are appalled by the suffering that Russia has inflicted on civilians, including a guard at the British Council office who was among those injured and hospitalized. We are equally outraged by the damage the strikes caused to the neighbouring EU delegation building. But if Russia thinks it can intimidate us, it is wrong. This will only strengthen the resolve of the United Kingdom and the West to support Ukraine. These strikes are the actions of a Russian Government that is hell-bent on destroying Ukraine and sabotaging international peace efforts. As my Prime Minister has said, quite simply, this bloodshed must end. And there remains only one solution: Putin must, as Zelenskyy has done repeatedly, agree to a full and unconditional ceasefire immediately. Every time I have to deliver a statement which marks another milestone in Russia’s violence, I am joined by 13 of my fellow Council members, making it 14 Security Council members calling for a cessation of hostilities. It is easy to sit here and say that there must be peace. Yes, we all want peace, but only one of us has the power to make that happen immediately. President Putin had the power to stop this war when we all called for it last month and the month before that and the month before that, all the way back to February 2022. How many people would still be alive today if President Putin had committed to peace and diplomacy instead of violence back then, or better yet, if he decided not to invade at all?

Let me join colleagues in extending our commendation and congratulations to you, Mr. President, and your delegation on your successful presidency this month, as this is the last scheduled meeting. I thank Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča for his sobering briefing on the grave escalation of the conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. I welcome the participation of Her Excellency Ms. Yulia Svyrydenko, Prime Minister of Ukraine, to this meeting. Sierra Leone is alarmed by reports of continuous air strikes on heavily populated areas, particularly of Ukraine. On 27 August, there were reports of a massive air strike involving more than 500 drones and missiles, as was indicated in the briefing, killing at least 23 people, including four children, in Kyiv and injuring more than 45 others, with many still feared to be trapped under rubble. The strikes damaged This tragic episode regrettably reflects the wider pattern of the conflict. The first half of 2025 has witnessed relentless aerial bombardments of populated areas, leaving behind death, destruction and despair. Hospitals, schools, universities, businesses and critical energy and water infrastructure have all been targeted. Retaliatory strikes have also caused civilian injuries and infrastructure damage inside the Russia Federation. The United Nations human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine reported that July registered the highest number of civilian casualties since the early days of the conflict, with 286 civilians killed and 1,388 injured. This devastating trend appears to be continuing in August. The toll since 2022 is staggering: more than 50,000 casualties, alongside the displacement of more than 10 million people. Millions, particularly children, now live in fear, deprived of safe shelter, quality education and basic necessities such as clean water and electricity. More than 1,600 educational facilities have been damaged or destroyed, compounding their plight. Sierra Leone deplores the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure. International humanitarian law is unequivocal: such attacks constitute war crimes. We stress that the principles of proportionality, precaution and distinction must be fully respected. Operations near nuclear installations or other critical civilian sites are particularly unacceptable and risk catastrophic consequences. We therefore reiterate our call on the involved parties to prioritize the protection of civilians, cease indiscriminate attacks, refrain from military operations in and around civilian infrastructure, and ensure humanitarian corridors are respected. Compliance with international law, including human rights law and the Geneva Conventions, is not optional; it is obligatory. We commend the ongoing humanitarian aid coordination efforts led by the Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine and facilitated by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs under extremely difficult circumstances. With approximately 12.7 million people in Ukraine in need of humanitarian assistance, these efforts remain indispensable. We call for the safe, sustained and unhindered delivery of aid, particularly to those in hard-to-reach areas and close to the front lines. We further emphasize the importance of sustained and flexible funding for humanitarian and recovery programmes, particularly in view of the upcoming winter season. This conflict is not confined to the borders of Ukraine or the Russian Federation. Its ripple effects are destabilizing global economies, undermining trust in the international system and international norms and aggravating food and energy insecurity. The disruption of grain exports has disproportionately affected developing countries, including in Africa, driving up prices and straining vulnerable economies. Most gravely, the conflict adds to a mosaic of geopolitical issues that are eroding the very integrity of the Charter of the United Nations. If internationally recognized borders can be redrawn by force and the sovereignty principle is not immutable, then the foundation of global peace and security is left unprotected. For Sierra Leone, the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of States are immutable principles. To compromise them is to compromise the rules-based international legal order itself. Sierra Leone reaffirms its unwavering support for the Charter of the United Nations and its core obligation under Article 2, paragraph 3, that all Member States must settle disputes by peaceful means. In this spirit, we recall the Council’s recent adoption of resolution 2774 (2025), which reaffirmed that the primary purpose of the United Nations is to maintain international peace and security and to resolve With this in mind and given the escalating toll of death, displacement and destruction, the only viable path forward is through diplomacy and dialogue. We therefore support all initiatives, both within and beyond the Council, aimed at securing a stop in the fighting and the declaration of a pause to pave the way for a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace. We take note of the recent confidence-building measures, including the exchanges of prisoners of war, civilian detainees and soldiers’ remains, facilitated through talks in Istanbul. These are positive steps that should be built on. We also welcome the recent high-level engagements and call for them to be translated into meaningful negotiations for an unconditional ceasefire and an eventual peace agreement. The international community and above all the Council must remain steadfast in their support for such efforts, supporting negotiations that address critical issues, including immutable borders, security guarantees, military capabilities and regional stability. Resolution 2774 (2025) provides a framework, but it is the will and leadership of Member States that will determine whether peace is achieved. The stakes are too high for delay. The people of Ukraine, the Russian Federation and indeed the wider world deserve an end to this devastating war. Sierra Leone stands ready to work with all members of the Council and all parties concerned to ensure that leadership, goodwill and the principles of the Charter prevail. Only then can we restore faith in international law, rebuild shattered lives and reaffirm the United Nations enduring purpose of saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war.

At the outset, I also thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča for his timely briefing and welcome the representative of Ukraine, Her Excellency Prime Minister Svyrydenko. We return once again to the Chamber under grim circumstances to discuss the most recent appalling attack against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. For months, we have witnessed an expansion of heavy air attacks and, again and again, have urgently called for a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine. However, these calls are again being ignored, as the Russian Federation continues to scale up its expansive drone and missile strikes on heavily populated civilian targets. The Republic of Korea condemns Russia’s escalating attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. In the early hours of Thursday morning, Russia launched yet another disturbing drone and missile assault on high-rise residential buildings, educational institutions and civilian transport as Kyiv and other cities slept, killing at least 19, four of whom were children, and injuring more than 60 others. In addition to targeting Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure, Thursday’s attacks also hit the European Union mission and British Council. My delegation categorically condemns all such attacks on diplomatic and consular premises, which are contrary to international law and global norms. Thursday’s attacks, carried out with nearly 600 drones and 31 missiles, represent Russia’s deadliest attacks on Ukraine since July and the second largest air assault since this illegal war began. These attacks represent clear violations of international humanitarian law. Civilians must always be protected and should never be targeted, yet this recurrent and bloody scenario continues to play out weekly, shattering lives, families and communities. They also exemplify again the urgency of ending this protracted horror. All parties must take swift and concrete steps towards an end-of-war agreement, in line with resolution 2774 (2025), to ensure lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine. For its part, the Republic of Korea reaffirms its guiding commitment to ending this war and standing with the Ukrainian people as they rebuild their country and chart a brighter, more secure future.

At the outset, I congratulate Panama on soon completing its presidency of the Council for this month and wish the Republic of Korea all the best as it assumes the presidency next month. I thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča for his briefing. At present, the Ukraine issue is entering a critical stage for a negotiated settlement. China supports all efforts conducive to a peaceful settlement of the crisis, welcomes a series of recent engagements and talks between Russia and the United States, between Ukraine and the United States and between European countries and the United States and is pleased to see the continued engagements among the relevant parties towards a solution. At the same time, the fighting on the ground has not decreased. The ongoing drone and missile attacks between Russia and Ukraine have caused new civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure, which is truly heart-wrenching. It also shows that the road to peace is long and arduous, requiring greater effort from all parties together. I will make three points. First, it is our hope that the parties concerned will show calm and restraint and promote de-escalation on the battlefield as soon as possible. We reiterate our call that under no circumstances should civilians and civilian infrastructure be targeted. Parties to the conflict should strictly abide by international humanitarian law and effectively protect the safety and security of civilians and civilian infrastructure. Secondly, it is our hope that the parties concerned will meet each other halfway and keep up the momentum of dialogue and negotiations. Currently, there is still a considerable gap between the positions and proposals of the parties on the key issues to achieve peace, which all the more requires keeping the faith, sustaining engagement, demonstrating political will and showing flexibility, in order to arrive at a peace agreement at an early date. Thirdly, it is our hope that the international community will build consensus and create a favourable environment for a political settlement of the crisis. The international community, especially important stakeholders, should step up diplomatic efforts to put an end to the fighting and promote peace talks, and should send more positive signals for dialogue and negotiations. Since the first day of the war, China has called for a ceasefire and cessation of hostilities and consistently advocated for peace talks towards a political settlement. Guided by the four “shoulds” put forth by President Xi Jinping, we have maintained engagement with the parties concerned, sent a special envoy for shuttle diplomacy and initiated the Group of Friends for Peace on the Ukraine Crisis at the United Nations to consolidate consensus on peace and promote peace efforts.

At the outset, I want to join in congratulating you and the delegation of Panama for your excellent stewardship of the Council during the month of August. I also thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča for his briefing. We meet today following yet another series of air strikes on Ukraine, which killed at least 23 people, including children; 23 lives that would have been spared had the parties agreed to a cessation of hostilities. The strikes also destroyed, as we heard, a residential building and damaged premises belonging to the European Union Mission and British Council in Kyiv. Guyana is compelled to reiterate the following three messages. First, Russia’s military action in Ukraine undermines international law and is contrary to the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations of respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of another sovereign State. The cost of this conflict, while borne most heavily by the Ukrainian people, is also being paid by civilians in the Russian Federation, the entire region and the global community. We, therefore, reiterate our call for an urgent intensification of diplomatic dialogue to end the conflict, taking advantage of the pathways already created, and for an immediate de-escalation of hostilities in both Russia and Ukraine. Lasting peace could never be achieved through the use of force, but rather by intense diplomatic effort. Ending this war peacefully must remain our foremost priority. Secondly, we reiterate our demand for full adherence to legal obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law. This conflict, from its inception, has been characterized by violation after violation of international law, with numerous attacks against critical and civilian infrastructure, the abduction of children, the denial of humanitarian access and the killing of humanitarian personnel. There have also been attacks against nuclear facilities. We once again call upon the conflict parties to fulfil their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, and to take all necessary precautions to protect civilians. We also underscore the need to prioritize the protection of children. Thirdly and lastly, the international community must continue to support efforts and confidence-building measures that could bring the two parties closer to the goal of negotiating a ceasefire. We commend the recent prisoner exchanges and the talks in Istanbul and hope that these can continue and will be matched by initiatives in other areas. In closing, Guyana will continue to support all efforts of the Secretary-General and other willing partners who have been working diligently towards sustainable peace; a peace that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, within its internationally recognized borders.

I thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča for his informative briefing. In recent weeks, the United States has undertaken exceptional efforts to bring the Russia-Ukraine war to an end. President Trump met face-to-face with Russian President Putin in Alaska on 15 August, the first summit-level meeting between our countries since Russia launched its invasion more than three and a half years ago. President Trump then hosted Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and seven other European leaders at the White House on 18 August to build on the progress made at the Alaska summit. Russia must decide now to move towards peace. The leaders of Russia and Ukraine must agree to meet bilaterally. President Trump has warned of further economic measures that the United States could take if Russia instead chooses to continue this war, measures which could have a far-reaching impact on Russia’s future economic prosperity. The United States calls on the Russian Federation to avoid these consequences by stopping the violence and engaging constructively to end the war.

At the outset, I would like to thank the Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, Mr. Miroslav Jenča, for his valuable briefing. My country, Algeria, has repeatedly expressed its concern over the current war between Russia and Ukraine. The consequences of this war continue, causing a deterioration in the humanitarian situation. Many innocent civilians have been lost, and others continue to suffer, including children, women and older persons. With the continuation of confrontations, civilian infrastructure is also being destroyed, which is having a direct impact on the daily lives of civilians. Furthermore, information received yesterday noted the destruction of several diplomatic buildings in Kyiv, following explosions that occurred nearby. Algeria reaffirms that the mindset of confrontation and fighting will only lead to further violence and hostility. That will undermine the opportunities for dialogue and negotiations and also the diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful solution, particularly in the context of direct negotiations between the two parties, which had given us the hope of seeing a just, lasting and comprehensive solution. Moreover, the continuation of the conflict has also had repercussions in many regions of the world, in particular in developing countries, which have not been spared the turmoil in global food and energy markets. We reiterate our condemnation of violations of international law, and we would like to highlight the following points. First, Algeria calls on both Russia and Ukraine to exercise restraint and avoid sliding into a spiral of violence so as to prevent further losses of civilian lives, ensure the security of civilians and respect international law, including international humanitarian law, which calls for the protection of unarmed civilians and civilian infrastructure, including diplomatic premises. Secondly, Algeria reaffirms the need to prioritize dialogue, negotiation and consultation over escalation and confrontation and the need to focus diplomatic efforts on supporting mutual understanding and cooperation in order to achieve a just and comprehensive solution that will put a definitive end to the war. In this regard, Algeria commends the tireless diplomatic efforts that recently led to summit meetings and looks forward to the meeting that is expected to bring together the leaders of the two countries, under the auspices of the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, which we hope will give momentum to direct negotiations between the two parties. Thirdly, my country urges the international community to work together to create an environment conducive to constructive dialogue and to maintaining the momentum of negotiations with a view to finding common ground between the two parties, free from polarization and narrow geopolitical calculations.

I join others in congratulating you, Mr. President, and Panama for the excellent manner in which you steered the Council’s work for the month of August. At the outset, I would like to extend my appreciation to Assistant Secretary- General Jenča for his comprehensive briefing on the latest developments in Ukraine. We remain gravely concerned by the recent escalation in Ukraine. The intensification of hostilities, including increased strikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure, serve as a stark reminder of the persistent volatility in the region and the severe toll being exacted on civilians. In this regard, I wish to underscore the following points. First, these developments highlight the urgent and ongoing need for all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. It is imperative that international legal obligations are respected at all times in order to safeguard lives and preserve stability throughout this crisis. Secondly, we firmly maintain that there is no military solution to this conflict. Continued hostilities only serve to prolong the suffering of the civilian population and undermine the prospects for a durable peace. Lasting solutions are found at the negotiating table, not through the use of force. Thirdly, we welcome the recent diplomatic initiatives by President Trump and the United States to end the war in Ukraine, including the high-level meeting between the United States President and the Russian President in Alaska, as well as the meeting with the President of Ukraine and European leaders in Washington, D.C. Such efforts represent important steps towards fostering dialogue, rebuilding trust and laying the groundwork for a just and sustainable peace. Fourthly, we reiterate our call for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire. It is incumbent upon all parties to exercise maximum restraint to prevent further deterioration of the situation and to create conditions conducive to substantive negotiations. In conclusion, my delegation reaffirms its unwavering support for all efforts aimed at tackling the root causes of this conflict and achieving a just and lasting solution, consistent with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The people of Ukraine and everyone affected by this war deserve a future defined by peace, security and dignity.

Allow me to start by congratulating you, Mr. President, and your entire team for the successful and brilliant steering of the Council’s work during the current month. We also welcome the participation of Her Excellency the Prime Minister of Ukraine in today’s meeting. I would also like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča for his briefing. Pakistan has repeatedly echoed its concerns about the continuing hostilities and devastating consequences of this conflict, particularly its humanitarian toll. It is regrettable that the conflict, which is now heading into its fourth year, continues to rage and devastate the lives and livelihoods of more and more people. We note with deep dismay the continuation in fighting, resulting in the loss of innocent civilian lives, including children. This is, as we have said before, both tragic and deplorable. The protection of civilians is paramount. International humanitarian law is clear and must be universally upheld. Pakistan welcomes the recent diplomatic efforts spearheaded by the United States President to bring an end to this conflict. Pakistan too, from the very outset, has remained an ardent proponent of bringing an end to this conflict through dialogue and negotiated settlement. We take particular note of the leadership-level contacts between the United States and the Russian Federation, as well as the summit-level interactions between the United States and Ukraine and a group of leaders from the European continent, who also have a stake in maintaining peace in the region. We remain hopeful that the diplomatic groundwork laid down at the start of the year, including resolution 2774 (2025), which Pakistan supported, multiple rounds of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and the recent high-level interactions will lead to a meaningful outcome, an early end to hostilities and an enduring peace in the region. These efforts must not stop and should be earnestly continued and followed up with more diplomacy, deeper engagement and structured and sustained talks. We welcome the recent prisoner exchange between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. We, however, note that the ongoing violence, death and destruction from relentless attacks do not portend well for the ongoing peace efforts. We concur with Assistant Secretary-General Jenča when he expressed the concern that diplomatic momentum may fade owing to escalation and infighting. The pursuit of military means to resolve this conflict is a dead end. It would only deepen the suffering of the people. The way forward is in a peaceful settlement that includes de-escalation and a ceasefire. Only a sincere and meaningful dialogue that addresses the security concerns of all sides, is anchored in the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, and respects the relevant multilateral agreements can help secure peace that is both just and enduring. Pakistan will continue to support all efforts that pave the way for a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian conflict.

The meetings on Ukraine requested by our Western colleagues follow the same fairly primitive template. Russia is being accused of strikes on Ukrainian cities, and they baselessly assert that the attacks were allegedly targeting civilian objects, ignoring the fact that during our strikes, civilian casualties occur exclusively due to falling shrapnel from intercepted missiles and drones, or directly from Ukrainian air defence missiles that have gone off course. The reason for that is also well known: the deployment of missile defences by Ukraine in residential areas in violation of the basic norms of international humanitarian law. And yet targeted Ukrainian attacks involving missiles and drones on civilian objects on the territory of Russia are deliberately ignored. This is the ham-fisted formula, which includes the same cookie-cutter statements by our Western colleagues, who again seem to be filling up the room today like sardines. They could have trained an artificial intelligence long ago to follow this scheme when writing their generic statements, given how inhuman and detached from reality it is. And perhaps they are already doing that, since there is nothing new that we have heard today that goes beyond this template. My response to these accusations today is probably not going to contain anything new either. Yes, indeed, on the night between 27 and 28 August, in pursuit of the aim of demilitarizing Ukraine, we did strike objects that relate to the military- industrial complex of Ukraine. As was announced today by Russia’s Ministry of Defence, 62 per cent of Ukraine’s key military-industrial complex enterprises have At the same time, the Kyiv regime, as in the past, shamelessly and criminally used the tactic of a human shield by putting these enterprises of the defence complex, air defences and electronic warfare near residential buildings in densely populated urban areas. It is therefore no surprise that, once again, Ukrainian air defence missiles hit residential areas, and that was the reason for the damage to the buildings of the United Kingdom and European Union mission buildings and also the death of civilians in partially destroyed residential buildings. However, instead of compelling the criminal regime to at long last remove air defence and military enterprises from residential areas, these victims are being used as a tool for political manipulation. Every such tragedy is intentionally whipped up to blame the deaths of Ukrainian civilians on Russia, to appeal to Western sponsors and international donors, to demand the introduction of new sanctions and to beg for new arms deliveries. That happened today as well. Before our eyes, with the complicity of Western members of the Security Council, the lives of Ukrainian civilians have been turned into a bargaining chip, and human suffering is becoming a way to achieve self-centred foreign policy goals. Considering the irremediable hypocrisy of our Western colleagues and their reluctance to expose the true cause of the deaths, Ukrainian citizens have long ago figured out what is going on. They quickly realized that the danger was coming from the Ukrainian air defence systems, rather than Russian strikes. Members do not believe me? They should just read Ukrainian social media, where people have for a long time been warning one another about the deployment of air defence systems and military enterprises near their homes, and they are making fun of our Western colleagues and their clumsy attempts to cover for the criminal Kyiv regime. There is another thing that is transforming today’s meeting into a theatre of the absurd. While emphasizing the victims and destruction in Ukrainian cities, the Western initiators of today’s meeting are, as usual, deliberately ignoring the Ukrainian armed forces’ premeditated hunting of civilians, including women, children and older persons on the territory of Russia. Ukrainian Nazis are intentionally using strike drones against apartment buildings and private residences, civilian transport, agricultural machinery harvesting crops and commercial and social facilities. Each day, Russian regions have dozens and even hundreds of drones launched against them. In the week from 18 to 24 August alone, the shelling by Ukrainian Nazis caused 140 civilian casualties — 121 people were wounded, including eight minors, and 19 people died, including one child. But our Western colleagues are not interested in these victims. The victims are part of their strategy to do harm to Russia at the hands of Ukraine, which is precisely the reason why back in the day they created their “anti-Russia” project. In addition, they intentionally overlook the fact that our combined strike on Ukrainian military-industrial complex facilities came in response to what has been going on for the last two weeks after the Alaska summit, namely attacks on oil refineries in Russia. It is clear that these strikes have no strategic military significance, as they do not affect the situation on the contact line. Their true aim is to damage civilian energy infrastructure and to interrupt fuel supplies. Moreover, In this context, the strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline are telling. It is one of the key routes for the delivery of oil to Europe. The most recent sabotage on 22 August was so severe that it put the pipeline out of operation for several days. This is a provocation designed to harm the economic interests of European Union countries and the infrastructure that ensures the energy stability of the region. Under pressure from Hungary and Slovakia, even the European Commission was forced to react to this. In other words, they are playing up the consequences of Russia’s retaliatory actions and intentionally not mentioning the facts of what provoked these strikes. It is a clumsy and hypocritical tactic that shows the selective blindness and double standards of our Western colleagues. These same glaring “double standards” are clearly on display when the Western accomplices of the Kyiv regime continue to ignore what, even by the standards of the Maidan, are skyrocketing human rights violations by the Zelenskyy regime. We are talking about the mass trampling of fundamental human rights and freedoms, including those of the Russian-speaking population, the hateful harassment of dissenters and attempts to outlaw the canonical Orthodox Church. Even by the most modest calculations, approximately 7,000 Ukrainians have been deprived of their freedom without any grounds, solely for political reasons. And this also applies to clergy from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, journalists and ordinary citizens who express opinions that are not in line with the position of the regime. Recently, we all received a letter from Oleksandr Dubinsky, a former member of the Ukrainian parliament, who is currently accused of treason. The facts he mentioned, including the case of American journalist Gonzalo Lira who was tortured to death in the dungeons of the Kyiv regime, were confirmed by international human rights organizations and reflected in the Ukraine 2024 human rights report of the United States Department of State. Just the other day, Security Council members received another letter, this time from journalist Diana Panchenko. She asked the Secretary-General to take measures to protect political prisoners. She also refers to reports from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which note systematic cases of arbitrary detention, arrests without formal charges, the use of torture and denial of access to justice under the Kyiv regime. Attached to the letter is a list of more than 550 victims of political persecution in Ukraine. Even a brief analysis of the content of these letters allows us to draw a clear conclusion: the Zelenskyy regime has created a machine of repression that is rooted in violation of basic human rights and freedoms. State security bodies, obedient courts and law enforcement agencies are being used to intimidate society and quell dissent. How much longer will Security Council members ignore these cries for help and act as though nothing of the sort is happening in Ukraine? How much longer will Western sponsors of the Kyiv regime ignore the glaring evidence of rampant corruption in the Zelenskyy regime elite? Earlier this week, several Western media outlets reported that a former investigator of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, who had fled to Europe, managed to take with her thousands of pages of internal documents that expose corruption schemes in the highest echelons of Ukrainian power. Elena K, whose surname has not been disclosed, led a task force tracing offshore assets. The selectively published sales contracts and information regarding bank transfers have confirmed that Zelenskyy and those close to him used an extensive network of shell companies to launder illegal income to subsequently purchase luxury real estate abroad. We are talking about If our Western colleagues were capable of telling the truth, they would have long since acknowledged that for many years the West has been creating in Ukraine direct threats to the security of the Russian Federation, essentially condoning the actions of the Kyiv regime aimed at exterminating everything Russian and the Russian-speaking population on Ukrainian territory. By doing so, the Kyiv regime grossly violated the Charter of the United Nations — which requires protecting human rights, including linguistic and religious rights — as well as numerous international conventions and the Constitution of Ukraine itself. If the West acknowledged this, it would be an excellent starting point for a lasting and sustainable settlement of the Ukrainian crisis. That has not yet happened, but there is a ray of hope coming from the fact that some of our partners, primarily in the United States, are increasingly recognizing the need to address the root causes of the conflict. If they are not addressed, the crisis will not be resolved. Such trends, which manifested themselves particularly during the recent Russian-American summit in Alaska, are giving not only the members of the Zelenskyy regime sleepless nights but also its European patrons. That is why they are doing everything they can now to play down the positive understandings reached in Alaska or at least distort them. This is most evident when it comes to security issues. In that regard, I would like to declare unacceptable any new attempts to resolve collective security issues without Russia’s involvement and without due regard for our interests and concerns. Such attempts are precisely what provoked the crisis in the Euro-Atlantic region, to which there is still no solution in sight. We have repeatedly explained our position of principle regarding this issue, the cornerstones of which are mutual respect and equality. We oppose any encroachment on the sovereignty and independence of other States and will not tolerate such attempts vis-à-vis Russia. We will firmly and resolutely defend our legitimate security interests. Under the guise of security guarantees, the collective West is promoting one-sided, essentially neocolonial initiatives to deter Russia. This applies to the inherently unfeasible European plans for the further militarization of Ukraine and the build-up of NATO’s military presence in the Black Sea region, including airspace patrols. We are also seeing shameless proposals to limit the number of guarantor countries to the key NATO States. Providing security guarantees is not a condition but rather the result of a peaceful settlement once the root causes of the conflict in Ukraine have been removed. Security guarantees as they are being articulated by our former European partners would only contribute to a further deterioration of strategic stability at the regional and global levels. In that regard, it is worth recalling the initiative of the Ukrainian side itself, which was proposed in April 2022 in Istanbul. Back then, the Ukrainian negotiating team outlined the basic principles of agreements on ending hostilities and ensuring a sustainable settlement. These principles included Ukraine’s refusal to join NATO or any other military blocs and the confirmation of its neutral non-nuclear status. In that context, the Ukrainian side proposed, and our delegation agreed to, developing security guarantees, the parties to which would be all Security Council permanent members and specific States that may be interested in joining this group of security guarantors. Obviously, Kyiv’s proposal presupposed that these guarantees would be equal and that the security of all parties concerned, including Ukraine’s neighbours, would be ensured on an equal and indivisible basis. We supported this option, the document was initialled, and we were about to sign an official agreement. We do not oppose this A possible Russian-Ukrainian high-level meeting could draw up mutual agreements that would be underpinned by relevant and well-understood steps and measures following the Alaska summit. However, what can we talk about if Mr. Zelenskyy is publicly saying that he is not willing to discuss, for example, the territorial question? By doing so, he is throwing down the gauntlet to the United States President Donald Trump, who has openly stated that this issue should be up for negotiation. The head of the Kyiv regime has also announced quite unequivocally that no one can prevent Ukraine from joining NATO, which also runs counter to what was said by President Trump. Zelenskyy also has no intention of repealing laws that de facto ban the Russian language, destroy Russian culture and education, Russian-language media and the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church. If the expired Ukrainian President is not prepared for such a discussion and in general does not want to make any compromises, as he has repeatedly stressed over the past 10 days, then it is not entirely clear why he is insisting on having a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. To reach mutually agreeable solutions that would exclude the recurrence of the conflict, we need greater diplomatic efforts. I would like to remind members that during the third round of the resumed Istanbul negotiation track on 23 July, we proposed that the Ukrainian side consider the establishment of three working groups on political, humanitarian and military issues. We believe that this would allow us to more thoroughly examine the agenda items, which would be helpful in terms of bringing our positions closer together and agreeing on particulars resolving the Ukrainian crisis. More than a month has elapsed since then, but we still have no response from Ukraine. We believe that this matter and the course of the negotiations in Istanbul in general are something of a litmus test for what Kyiv is really interested in  — is it diplomatic work or hollow publicity and the sabotage of constructive mediation efforts?

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Panama. We thank Under-Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča for his participation and his detailed briefing on the security situation in Ukraine. We take note of the participation of Her Excellency Yulia Svyrydenko, Prime Minister of Ukraine, and that of the representatives of Poland, Estonia, Norway, Germany, Romania and the European Union, who honour us with their presence today. Panama echoes the words expressed yesterday by the Secretary-General António Guterres regarding the Russian attacks on the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv, on the morning of 28 August (see S/PV.9988), and we align ourselves with his rejection of, and emphatic call for an immediate end to, the bombings. Panama regrets the high number of civilian casualties, including children, caused by this new tragic attack, and we express our condolences to their families. This war has shaken the We have watched in horror as residential areas and critical infrastructure on both sides have been targeted, now even reaching the extreme of diplomatic legations, such as the European Union office and the British Council, being affected, in flagrant violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Some 6.9 million Ukrainians have been forced to seek refuge outside their homeland, while 3.7 million have been internally displaced. Added to this humanitarian tragedy are the global repercussions: food insecurity, rising energy costs and growing international economic instability, the consequences of which will take years to mitigate. Four years of war have brought terrible human suffering. The military path, which some insist on maintaining, is futile and bloody. Dialogue is the only effective way to find common ground to pave the way for a peaceful and permanent resolution to this crisis. Panama values the recent diplomatic efforts deployed, through the meetings held in Anchorage and Washington D.C., with the objective of building bridges that will lead to an end to this prolonged tragic situation in Ukraine. In the Council, several delegations have repeatedly called for a cessation of hostilities and a peace agreement that is just and lasting and that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and political independence. The leadership required at this historic moment calls for courageous decisions consistent with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The consequences of inaction are simple: more deaths, more blood and more suffering. Therefore, Panama once again reiterates its support for all diplomatic efforts aimed at stopping the violence and building peace. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Ms. Svyrydenko, Prime Minister of Ukraine.

I am honoured to address the United Nations Security Council today, and I am grateful to the presidency of Panama for convening this emergency meeting at Ukraine’s request. We asked for this meeting as the Council should not be sidelined in addressing Russia’s terror attack yesterday. The Charter of the United Nations entrusts the Council with a primary responsibility — to maintain international peace and security. For the people of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, my native Chernihiv, and many other regions across Ukraine, there have been neither peace nor security. Just yesterday, overnight, Russia employed 629 airborne weapons. There were Shahed strike drones and other uncrewed aerial vehicles. There were cruise, ballistic and aeroballistic missiles. Russia again targeted residential buildings and claimed innocent lives. As of now, 25 people have been killed, including four children. I just wanted to show some of the photographs of people that were killed, yesterday — 25 of them. Sixty-three others were injured, among them 11 children. The youngest victim was a girl, not yet 3 years old. Born under Russian shelling in October 2022, she was killed by Russian shelling in August 2025. Among other civilian facilities, the strike also severely damaged the premises of the European Union delegation to Ukraine. An attack on a diplomatic mission is utterly unacceptable and demands strong condemnation and an appropriate response from the international community. At the same time, alongside words of support, we value concrete actions that both strengthen our defence capabilities and save human lives. Ukraine urgently requires additional air defence systems to protect our people and territory, as well as long-range strike capabilities to neutralize Russian military facilities from which attacks are launched. Let me be clear: these killings are deliberate acts of terror. They are an informed decision, taken by Moscow, to continue its systematic campaign to terrorize civilians and extinguish any semblance of normal life. Yesterday, Russians again responded brutally to our attempts to engage them in a civilized dialogue, in the language of international law, peace and respect for human life. Russia continues to choose killing over ending the war. We should take this into account in our efforts aimed at a peaceful resolution and the establishment of reliable security guarantees. These guarantees must protect both Ukrainian sovereignty and the lives of Ukrainian people, especially children. Our people must feel safe right now. That is why a ceasefire remains an essential prerequisite for successful future negotiations. How can genuine talks be conducted while Russia’s contribution remains the bodies of Ukrainian children retrieved from the rubble? Council members can just look at this photograph to understand everything. Russia is a recognized perpetrator of crimes against Ukrainian children. For the third consecutive year, Russia has been placed on the “list of shame” in the Secretary-General’s reports on children and armed conflict. Yesterday, Russia’s air strike on Kyiv killed four children. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, at least 20 children have been sexually abused by Russian forces. Another 2,139 have been wounded and 2,193 remain missing. Tens of thousands more have been stolen. There are 1.6 million trapped under Russian control in the occupied territories of Ukraine. Ten-month-old Marharyta Prokopenko was among them. In 2022, Russian officials took her from the Kherson children’s home. In Moscow, her documents were forged. She was given a new Russian birth certificate with a new name. They faked her birthplace, too. She was later adopted by Sergey Mironov, a politician close to Putin. Now she is Maryna Mironova, from Podolsk, Moscow region. A Ukrainian baby stolen, her name wiped away, her identity destroyed, Marharyta’s case is not isolated, it is a policy. Ukrainian children are stripped of family, language, memory and history. Russia kills children from a distance with missiles and drones. And it steals those who fall under its control. Russia erases their Ukrainian identity. Children are forced to forget who they are. Some are drafted into Russia’s army. They kill and die fighting against their own people. The Council cannot stay silent. Child abduction must end. And every Ukrainian child must be returned home now, before more lives are shattered. Russia’s unlawful war must be stopped. All killings and attacks must stop. Violations of the Charter of the United Nations must stop. And we all know, they will stop as soon as Russia is stopped. As long as Moscow rejects peace initiatives, it is imperative to intensify diplomatic, economic and military pressure on Russia. This includes the swift adoption of the European Union’s nineteenth sanctions package; full disconnection of Russia from international financial systems; sanctions against the so-called shadow fleet of oil tankers; the imposition of strong tariffs to undermine Russia’s war economy; and the strengthening of personal sanctions against Russia’s political and military leadership to ensure its leaders cannot evade accountability. Russia must be deprived of the means to finance its war and its crimes. Let me reiterate that strengthening our defence capacities will also serve the goal of encouraging Russia to engage more constructively with international peace efforts. Ukraine remains ready to give diplomacy a genuine chance, with the goal of achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. We highly value the diplomatic efforts of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, and the European leaders. Yet Russia’s ongoing attacks undermine and devalue those efforts by the American leadership, supported by many European States and States from other regions of the world. Let me emphasize that the people of Ukraine still hope that the Council and its member States, who have consistently emphasized the need for a cessation of hostilities, will now show the courage to turn words into action by supporting a relevant resolution on the matter. Restoring respect for international law, above all the Charter of the United Nations and its principle of territorial integrity, will send a clear message: aggression must be punished, never rewarded.

I now give the floor to the representative of Poland.

I would like to begin by thanking Panama for convening today’s meeting and Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča for his briefing. I also appreciate the presence of Prime Minister Svyrydenko today here with us. Poland supports the statement to be delivered by the representative of the European Union. We have all heard just moments ago the account of the most tragic consequences of another Russian attack on the night of 27 August. Poland once again extends its deepest condolences to all those affected. Such systematic attacks on civilian targets are war crimes, and they demand accountability. We will continue to support all international and national efforts to bring those responsible to justice. Among the casualties of these indiscriminate assaults were diplomatic premises, including the offices of the European Union delegation and the British Council. Those are not military targets. And let me take a moment to remind this Chamber that on 14 April last year, the Russian Permanent Representative spoke from this very floor about the sanctity of diplomatic missions and about the protections enshrined in international law (see S/PV.9602). He claimed that the Council knows very well that an attack on a diplomatic mission is considered a casus belli under international law. And if a Western mission had been hit, those countries would immediately retaliate and argue in this Chamber that they were right to do so. Therefore, I ask: How do those words stand now? Actions speak louder than words. Russia, regrettably, pretends to negotiate, while at the same time undermining diplomatic efforts and attempting to seize more Ukrainian land. If Russia hopes to break the spirit of resistance and solidarity, it is gravely mistaken. Recent strikes only strengthen our determination and resolve to support Ukraine. Poland calls on allies to impose additional restrictive measures that will further weaken Moscow’s capacity to wage war. We all know the truth: Russia is facing growing economic and social pressure. And because of this, it wants to force its maximalist goals on Ukraine, and it wants to do it fast. But let me be clear: Russia’s blatant disregard for peace cannot and will not go unanswered. Russia will be held accountable. We will apply sustained pressure. And we will stand firmly by Ukraine’s side. I took note that the Russian representative fled the Chamber, which was filled with representatives of the international community which he believes are sardines. However, perhaps it is a good omen, because indeed it does take the collective unity and resolve of all of us, the members of international community, to force Russia to abandon its terror tactics, engage in genuine negotiations and, just as the Russian representative did, go home.

I now give the floor to the representative of Estonia.

I am speaking on behalf of the Baltic States: Latvia, Lithuania and my own country, Estonia. We align ourselves with the statement to be delivered on behalf of the European Union. We thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča for his briefing and the presidency for convening us at this critical moment. Despite international efforts, it is evident that Russia has no intention of agreeing to a ceasefire. Putin does not seek even a temporary ceasefire, let alone a lasting peace. Every time he has made promises of hope to the international community, to the Security Council or to mediators such as the United States, Ukrainians have instead been met with yet another brutal and devastating attack. The most recent attacks in Kyiv, on 28 August, are a clear example of that. It was the second largest aerial attack since the start of the full-scale invasion, involving more than 600 drones and missiles, coming just weeks after the Alaska summit between President Trump and Putin, where the Kremlin leader was trying to deceive us into believing he sought peace. Those attacks left at least 23 Ukraine civilians dead, among them four children. Among those killed was a two-and-a-half-year-old child, born after the full-scale invasion and killed before ever knowing peace. Sadly, this story is just one among countless tragedies, in which lives have been ruined or lost since February 2022. Behind every figure lies a human tragedy — families torn apart, children illegally deported, homes destroyed, communities shattered. Furthermore, the recent attacks on 28 August also targeted and damaged the European Union and the British Council offices in Kyiv. This demonstrates that Russia will not cease its campaign of terror against Ukraine, even striking diplomatic Just a few days ago, on 24 August, Ukraine marked its Independence Day. It is profoundly disturbing that in the twenty-first century, a European country — a full Member of the United Nations — must celebrate its independence while almost one fifth of its territory remains brutally occupied by a permanent member of the Security Council, which is the very body created to protect, not undermine or destroy. Yet Ukraine has shown remarkable courage and resilience in defending its sovereignty and statehood against aggression. We pay tribute to the determination of the Ukrainian people and reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, freedom, territorial integrity and sovereignty. Our message is clear: Russia is the aggressor. Its imperialistic objectives remain unchanged. The root cause of this war lies in Putin’s refusal to accept the collapse of the Soviet Union. A just and lasting peace must be grounded in the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law. The occupation of any territory of Ukraine by Russia will never be recognized by the international community, neither de jure nor de facto. Russia must be held fully accountable for the crime of aggression and for every war crime committed. The perpetrators must face justice, including through a special tribunal for the crime of aggression. There can be no lasting peace without accountability. The Baltic States will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Defending Ukraine means defending the sovereign equality of all Member States, large and small — the core principle on which the United Nations was founded. As I speak here now, there is currently another attack on Ukraine under way, with planes and drones in the air. This is the situation we are in right now.

I now give the floor to the representative of Norway.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the five Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and my own country, Norway. I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this emergency meeting. Let me also thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča for his briefing and Her Excellency the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Ms. Svyrydenko, for being here today and for her powerful remarks. On 28 August, another deadly flow of Russian attacks hit civilians in Ukraine. More than 20 people were killed in their homes, including children. Hundreds of missiles and drones were fired, also damaging the offices of the European Union (EU) mission and the British Council, as many have stressed today. We echo the Secretary-General’s and Security Council members’ principled condemnation of these attacks. Once again, Russia has demonstrated its complete disregard for civilian lives and diplomatic missions. The aim is clear: to spread terror and undermine efforts to end the war. Our response is even stronger support for Ukraine. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine remains a blatant violation of international law. We commend all those Member States that stand up for Ukraine and its sovereignty and territorial integrity. International law is universal — it must be respected by everyone, at all times. We expect all members of the Council and of the United Nations to reaffirm a core principle of the Charter of the United Nations, namely that international borders must not be changed by force. Since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, Russia’s strategic aim of subjugating Ukraine has remained unchanged. The list of unfolding horrors in Ukraine, many of which may amount to A full and unconditional ceasefire is the necessary first step. Ukraine has been ready for a ceasefire for several months; only Russia stands in the way. Peace in Ukraine cannot be negotiated without Ukraine’s participation. Security guarantees will be needed. The people of Ukraine need a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in accordance with international law, not a pause for Russia to prepare for renewed aggression. The Nordic countries are ready to play an active role in combining the efforts of the coalition of the willing with those of the United States to ensure the strength of these security guarantees. There must be no limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Ukraine is the only one who can decide which alliances it seeks. It has been said before in the Chamber, but it must be repeated: the situation for Ukrainians living under Russian occupation is deeply alarming. Their human rights are violated. Deported and forcibly transferred children must come home safely. Thousands of illegally detained civilians should be released immediately. We demand that Russia comply with international humanitarian law and allow full, safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access in the occupied territories. Russia’s war against Ukraine and its continued hybrid activities against Europe must come to an end, now. We, the Nordics, will continue to scale up our military and civilian support for Ukraine, in close collaboration with the United States, the EU and partners across the world. As long as Russia continues its war of aggression, we, together with our partners and allies, will continue to increase the pressure on Russia’s war economy.

I now give the floor to the representative of Germany.

I thank you, Mr. President, for convening the meeting today and for the chance to speak. At the outset, let me say that I am happy that the Prime Minister of Ukraine was able to be present today, and allow me to thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča for his insightful briefing at the beginning. I would like to say that Germany aligns itself with the statement to be delivered on behalf of the European Union (EU). While we are here discussing the unprovoked Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of men, women and children in Kyiv and other cities of Ukraine are preparing for another night of fear. As they lie down to sleep, they again dread witnessing yet another abhorrent attack, such as the one two days ago, when, as the Prime Minister said, 25 people lost their lives, including four children, in this brutal Russian air strike. This was an illegal and indiscriminate attack, which we utterly condemn. I would like to join many others around the table in extending my condolences to the Prime Minister, her country and especially to the families of the victims. Of course, just like many others, we were also shocked to learn that the buildings of the EU delegation and the British Council suffered serious damages and that a security guard of the British Council was injured and hospitalized as a result of the attack. Two facts remain evident after these attacks. First of all, Russia has demonstrated again its blatant disregard of the most basic norms of international law and international humanitarian law. And secondly, the Ukrainian people continue to show admirable resilience and determination in defending their country and their sovereignty. I think that we must all ask ourselves what Russia’s intention is and why Russia is conducting these indiscriminate attacks against innocent civilians. For weeks, actually months, Russian leaders and diplomats have been claiming to seek The position of Ukraine, on the other hand, is clear. Ukraine has suffered an illegal invasion which has cost more than 13,000 lives, to this day, and yet it stands ready for an unconditional ceasefire. I think there are no more excuses for Member States that truly stand behind the principles of the Charter of the United Nations to look away. Every Government that wishes to play a constructive role, every Member State that seeks a diplomatic solution, should increase pressure on the aggressor in order to finally stop the killing. My question, and the question we should ask the Russian Federation, is simple. If Russia is sincere about peace, why can it not agree to a ceasefire? Let there be no doubt: Germany, together with its European allies, and others, will spare no effort to achieve an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and, ultimately, a just and lasting peace and long-term security for the people of Ukraine that must be rooted in the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The territorial integrity of United Nations Member States must be respected, and international borders must not be changed by force. Germany, together with its allies, will support Ukraine in its right to defend itself as long as it takes. Every night the people of Ukraine have to spend in fear is one too many. It is time to act.

I now give the floor to Mr. Lambrinidis. Mr. Lambrinidis: I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this emergency meeting. I thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča for his updates. I warmly welcome the Prime Minister of Ukraine to this Chamber. It is an honour to have her. As high-level talks for peace are ongoing, as European leaders work with Ukraine and our allies to stop the killing, as we are hopefully reaching, finally, a moment of truth for peace in Ukraine, Russia has once again shown its true intentions, with another massive and brutal overnight attack against Ukrainian cities and civilians. Ordinary civilians, including children as young as 2 years old, have paid the ultimate price for Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified and illegal aggression. Without the effective intervention of Ukrainian air defences, which reportedly destroyed 589 out of 629 Russian drones and missiles, the civilian toll would have undoubtedly been dramatically higher. I was shocked to learn that multiple Russian missiles also struck close to the European Union (EU) delegation in Kyiv, the shock waves causing severe damage to our premises. Fortunately, none of our colleagues were injured, but a security guard at the British Council was. I thank many Council members, in this Chamber and outside, for their statements of solidarity and concern which, I promise them, I will convey to my colleagues in Kyiv. We will, of course, not be intimidated. Such blatant violations of international law and the inviolability of diplomatic premises only strengthen our resolve to stand with Ukraine and to stand with the Ukrainian people. These most recent Russian attacks are part of a broader plan. Over the past few months, Russia has intensified its attacks across Ukraine, targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. Intentionally directing an attack against civilians or civilian objects is a war crime, in case anyone needs to be reminded of the fact. The increasingly tone-deaf and hypocritical statements the Russian Federation makes in this Chamber simply underscore the cynical intentionality of their continued Our objective remains clear: the EU supports an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire. We also welcome the efforts of the United States to seek an end to Russia’s war of aggression and to stop the killing. As the EU, we contribute to these efforts in order to achieve a just and lasting peace and long-term security for Ukraine and for our continent. I urge all members of the Council to use their influence and maximize pressure on Russia, now, to accept an immediate ceasefire and to work towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. In addition, the EU strongly condemns support by third countries, and actors and entities therein, which enable Russia to sustain its war of aggression. We urge all countries to immediately cease any direct or indirect assistance to Russia in its war of aggression. Russia and its leadership must be held fully accountable for waging a war of aggression against Ukraine and for these other serious crimes under international law, as well as for the massive damage caused by its war. On 24 August, we celebrated Ukraine’s Independence Day. We celebrated the exceptional resilience of Ukrainians and what they have demonstrated — the courage, the bravery  — in defending their right to exist as a country. Russia’s continued aggression and neo-colonial actions remind us that independence and freedom can never be taken for granted. That is why the EU will remain united in providing political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine, as it exercises its inherent right of self-defence. In closing, we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, in defence of the Charter of the United Nations and international law. I respectfully submit that the Council, without any wavering or any hesitation, should do the same, at a time when Russia intensifies its killings and continues to pursue its illegal objectives, instead of peace.

I now give the floor to the representative of Romania.

I thank you, Mr. President, for allowing my delegation to take the floor this afternoon, the last day of your presidency, which you steered very ably. The sense of urgency in asking Romania to be allowed to participate in this meeting is the result of the most recent massive and successive attacks undertaken by Russia against Ukraine in the past 48 hours, and before that. I want to thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča for the briefing, but I also want to acknowledge, very importantly, the key points that Prime Minister Svyrydenko made today. I also want to put on the record, Mr. President, the regrettable nature of the comment made by a permanent member of the Security Council, disregarding the legitimate and genuine interests of the wider international community concerning a matter that is so relevant to international peace and security. We do that now as we do on any other occasion and any other issue. I think this is the message that is echoed in this Chamber: that the international community supports the mission of the Security Council and enables the Council, this body, which created so many expectations around the world, to fulfil the ambitions and the goals of the Charter of the United Nations. It is very important to continue to respect each other and to The latest missile attack on Kyiv on 27 August was followed, less than 24 hours later, by a drone attack on a Ukrainian ship on the Danube Delta, near the Romanian border and near the Black Sea. We are waiting for further details about the impact of the attack, but the civilian lives of those living near to the Danube River were irresponsibly put at risk. In this context, I would like to put on record our strong condemnation of Russia’s continuous and indiscriminate attacks, affecting the sovereignty of Ukraine, in the immediate vicinity of Romania. We emphasize the irresponsible nature of those attacks and their serious implications for national security. We are appalled by the frequent large missile and drone attacks on Kyiv targeting civilians, civilian infrastructure and again diplomatic compounds. And we stand in solidarity with our partner countries, with Ukraine, and we will continue to support Ukraine as long as it takes to reject that blatant aggression. The latest attacks launched by Russia in the past 48 hours confirm Moscow’s pattern of aggression against Ukraine, on land or by sea and river. The war triggered by Russia affects maritime security on the Black Sea and commercial shipping both regionally and globally. Those continuous attacks are not the path to peace. And we need peace. In February, the General Assembly and the Security Council agreed on that. We need a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine that has at its core the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law. We also need an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire. As other speakers have done previously, Romania welcomes the efforts undertaken by the United States to put an end to Russia’s war of aggression and to save lives. Last but not least, accountability is more needed than ever, as we keep witnessing Russia’s actions in violation of the fundamental principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The war started three and a half years ago by Russia is not only against Ukraine and its people. We have said time and again that the Russian aggression is a blatant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and international law. It is high time now to advance on the path of peace.

There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. Before adjourning the meeting, as this is the last scheduled meeting of the Council for the month of August, I would like to express the sincere appreciation of the delegation of Panama to the members of the Council and to the secretariat of the Council for all the support they have given us throughout the month and for all their cooperation, without which we would not have been able to carry out our duties. It has been an intense and busy month, and one in which we rallied to consensus on several important issues within our purview in the Council. We could not have done that alone or without the hard work, support and positive cooperations of every delegation and the representatives of the Secretariat, including the members of the technical support team, conference service officers, interpreters, translators, verbatim reporters and security staff. As we end our presidency, I know I speak on behalf of the Council in wishing the delegation of the Republic of Korea, which will assume the presidency for the month of September, the best of luck and every success.