UN Security Council briefing on ‘Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine’
Statement delivered by H.E. Rytis Paulauskas, Permanent Representative of Lithuania on behalf of the Baltic states
New York, 1 August 2025
President,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Baltic States — Estonia, Latvia, and my own country, Lithuania. We also align ourselves with the statement by the European Union.
We thank the Panama Presidency for calling this meeting today. The international community must not wait to condemn Russia’s cruelty.
We also thank Assistant Secretary General Miroslav Jenča for his briefing and the UN continued substantive reporting on unbearable human suffering and civilian casualties in Ukraine caused by Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukrainian cities. The Baltic states reiterate their full support to the UN and its agencies’ humanitarian work and assistance provided to Ukraine.
In the series of recent massive Russia’s attacks, on the night of July 31, Kyiv has witnessed yet another large-scale brutal onslaught, targeting innocent civilians, where the number of killed has already reached 31, including five children. Numbers of dead and injured are likely to grow as rescuers work, day and night, searching for trapped people in the rubble of the destroyed residential buildings.
We also express our strong concern regarding recent attacks against and near Ukraine’s nuclear energy infrastructure. We call on Russia to halt such dangerous attacks, which are also prohibited under international humanitarian law.
The international community, through multiple UN General Assembly resolutions has repeatedly condemned Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and demanded to end it.
The resolution adopted by this Council in February urged lasting peace, but Russia is flatly rejecting all appeals to stop its aggression. On the contrary, we are witnessing cruel escalation of attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, including residential buildings, educational, religious, medical, and detention facilities, as well as evacuation infrastructure –. Once again, Russia is showing its true colors – it does not want peace but rather a complete annihilation of Ukraine.
The Baltic states reiterate their full support to US President Donald Trump’s call on Russia to immediately agree to a ceasefire. However, instead of seeking a diplomatic solution, the Russian representative keeps making cynical statements justifying Kremlin’s intention to continue this brutal war of aggression.
President,
Russia could end its aggression at any time, and that would end the war. Instead, it continues trying to employ its falsified claims of, so-called ‘root causes’ and justifying its deliberate choice to invade a neighboring independent, democratic, sovereign nation — an unprovoked act in blatant violation of international law, pursued out of greed and imperial neo-colonial ambitions.
No one wants an end to this war more than Ukrainians. A full and unconditional ceasefire is the first step prior to any real negotiations. Ukraine already committed to it. It is now for Russia to reciprocate. Russia must be held accountable for every day of its continued aggression. and for every innocent death brough about by its brutal war
All nations that seek peace and support the rule of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, must stand in unity to support Ukraine’s struggle for liberty and justice. Ukraine is defending the values and security of us all.
We would like to call on those supporting Russia’s war effort by providing military, economic, technological or diplomatic assistance, to consider the broader costs. Any support to the aggressor enables attacks such as these on civilians and civilian infrastructure and contributes to destabilizing global peace and security.
The Security Council must take a decision demanding Russia’s immediate compliance with its obligations under international law. The responsibility and consequences for war crimes committed in this war of aggression and for the crime of aggression itself must be ensured.
The Baltic states reaffirm their strong commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and we will support Ukraine with whatever it takes to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the international law, including the UN Charter.
I thank you.