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Mr President,
I have the honour to address the Council on behalf of three Baltic states – Estonia, Lithuania and my own country Latvia.
I thank the presidency of the Council for convening this meeting, and I thank the Under-Secretary-General Ms DiCarlo for her comprehensive briefing, detailing Russia’s attacks and crimes in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Today marks three years since Russia launched a full-scale, illegal and unprovoked invasion of its sovereign neighbour – Ukraine.
Three years ago, Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, blocked the Council from taking action mandated by the UN Charter to uphold international peace and security.
Three years ago, the International Court of Justice ordered Russia to stop its military activities in Ukraine.
The Baltic states welcome all efforts to bring a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace for Ukraine. A peace that is rooted in the principles of the UN Charter and international law. A peace that guarantees Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and freedom to choose its alliances. A peace that stops the brutal Russian aggression for good, with no opportunities for resurgence.
In principle, peace is easy to achieve. Russia needs to stop fighting – then it’s the end of the war. If Ukraine stops fighting, it’s the end of Ukraine.
Russian aggression against Ukraine began in 2014, with Russia’s illegal occupation and annexation of the Crimean Peninsula of Ukraine and launching the direct military intervention in Eastern Ukraine. Russia has waged a brutal, colonial war aimed at destroying Ukraine’s statehood, language, identity and seizing its resources and territory in violation with the UN Charter and the International Law.
The Baltic states’ support of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders, is unwavering and unconditional. It reflects our conviction that the defence of Ukraine is the defence of our common future where might does not make right. Borders must not be altered by force, and we will never recognise the illegal annexation of Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk or any other region of Ukraine. The aggressor can have no prerogative to decide which options Ukraine, a sovereign nation, may consider in shaping its future.
Ukraine does have the right to exercise self-defence, clearly provided for in Article 51 of the UN Charter. Therefore, countries providing aid to Ukraine are not party to the conflict.
Mr President,
We emphasize that only Ukraine’s victory can ensure lasting security and put an end to Russia’s imperialist aggression. We strongly believe that a rushed ceasefire will not lead to sustainable peace; instead, it will only embolden Russia and maybe others, encouraging further expansion and putting global security at grave risk. We must defend the principles of the UN Charter to save succeeding generations from the scourge of further wars.
Ukraine has endured unimaginable suffering. As documented in the briefing of Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo, thousands of lives lost, millions of people displaced, entire cities destroyed to rubble. Permanent damage made to its natural environment while constant attacks made on its energy infrastructure. Atrocities endured by the people of Ukraine leave deep scars that persist for generations.
And still, Ukrainians stand strong and resilient, Ukraine’s democracy thriving, parliament working. They’re defending their land and values that also uphold the UN Charter and global security. We must remain united and determined in providing long-term support to Ukraine.
Global efforts to provide aid, assistance in reconstruction, and support displaced populations is a priority because this is not an isolated, localised war. Nor is it just a European issue. Its consequences are felt across the globe, affecting the food security and energy security of some of the world’s most vulnerable regions. According to several estimates, the war that Russia launched against Ukraine has cost around 2% of the global GDP. Injustice and impunity in one place create a domino effect, emboldening efforts to undermine international law elsewhere.
Russia must be held accountable for its aggression against Ukraine. Failure to act would undermine the prospects for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
Mr President,
The so-called root causes that we heard today of the war are Russia’s imperial, colonial ambitions. That is the root cause. Russia seeks to restore its imperial sphere of influence and change the international order. Russia wants to decide the future and choices of sovereign countries and peoples. Not only in Europe, but in other continents as well. We should not let it happen.
We call for action by all countries, parliaments, governments and societies to significantly increase assistance to Ukraine – political, economic, humanitarian, military – all types of assistance, because we must stand with Ukraine in this existential fight, in line with the UN Charter. Then peace, lasting and just peace, could be achieved.
Thank you!
Slava Ukraini!