EU Statement UN Security Council: Maintenance of International Peace and Security (Ukraine)

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EU Statement -- UN Security Council: Maintenance of International Peace and Security (Ukraine)

28.08.2024 Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in New York

28 August 2024, New York -- Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States delivered byH.E. Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis, Ambassador, Head of Delegation, Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, at the UN Security Council briefing on Maintenance of International Peace and Security -- Ukraine.

Colleagues,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina^*, as well as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Andorra, Monaco and San Marino align themselves withthis statement.

I would like to thank ASG Jenča for the briefing. Coming after a new series of massive Russian attacks, it once again reminded us of the dramatic consequences of Russia's illegal, unprovoked, and unjustified aggression against Ukraine and its people.

Last Saturday, exactly two and a half years since Russia's full-scale invasion, millions of Ukrainians celebrated their independence day. A hard fought independence, that Russia has been trying its utmost to undo by sheer force. Ukraine, on its part, has been forced to exercise its inherent right of self-defence, to restore its territorial integrity and to protect its existence as an independent, sovereign country and member of these United Nations.

Under international law, Ukraine has the right to take actions to protect itself from Russian attacks. And, under international law, Russia must fully abide by the order of the International Court of Justice of March 2022 and immediately and unconditionally withdraw all of its troops from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine.

While Ukrainians courageously defend their country, Russia further intensifies its attacks on civilian infrastructure, including Ukraine's energy sector. According to OHCHR, July was the deadliest month for civilians in almost two years, with at least 219 killed and over 1000 injured, including 60 children. We repeat our call on Russia to immediately and unconditionally halt its systematicair strikes against Ukraine's civilians and civilian and critical infrastructure, which violate international humanitarian law. On Monday, in one of its largest air strikes since the beginning of its aggression, Russia hit the Kyiv Hydroelectric Power Plant. The UN has repeatedly documented Russia's targeting of energy infrastructure as well as its use of so-called 'double-tap' strikes, where it uses high-precision weapons to strike the same location twice within a short interval, causing additional casualties among civilians and first responders.

Russia shows a similar disregard for the welfare of civilians in the areas it temporarily occupies by unlawfully impeding the delivery of humanitarian relief. The UN has frequently highlighted the challenge of reaching civilians in areas currently under temporary Russian occupation. This means an estimated 1.5 million people are being cut off from humanitarian aid. In accordance with international humanitarian law, Russia must facilitate full, safe, rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for all civilians in need. We furthermore remain deeply concerned about the fate of all Ukrainian children unlawfully deported and transferred to Russia and Belarus.

Russia and its leadership must be held fully accountable for waging a war of aggression and for other most serious crimes under international law, as well as for the massive damage caused by their war. Ensuring accountability for violations of international law is necessary to deliver justice for ongoing atrocities, and can deter future ones. A lack of accountability, on the other hand, only emboldens the aggressor and its accomplices.

I reiterate the EU's support for acomprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine, based on the UN Charter. To this end, Russia - the aggressor - must end its war of aggression and withdraw all its troops from the entire territory of Ukraine. Other countries must refrain from any actions that may amount to complicity. The EU welcomes the outcome of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine in June. We ask all countries to continue supporting a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law.

President, allow me to close by reaffirming, once again, the EU's unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. We will continue to support Ukraine, and defend the UN Charter, in response to Russia's illegal aggression, and will do so for as long as it takes.

I thank you.

*North Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.