UN Security Council Briefing on Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine
Statement delivered by Mr. Aleksas Dambrauskas, Deputy Permanent Representative of Lithuania on behalf of the Baltic States
12 January 2026, New York
President,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the three Baltic States – Estonia, Latvia, and my own country, Lithuania. We also align ourselves with the Statement of the European Union.
Once again, for the fourth consecutive New Year, we are forced to begin the year by condemning Russia’s brutality, its violations of international law, including the UN Charter, and rejection of multiple calls for peace by the UN General Assembly, this Security Council and the International Court of Justice.
Regrettably, even amid the colossal efforts by Ukraine, the US and Europe to achieve just and lasting peace, we are meeting here today because Russia is – contrary to all these international efforts – escalating its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, in an attempt to disrupt the peace process.
Russia used the intermediate-range ballistic missile (so-called Oreshnik) against Lviv, in close proximity to the EU and NATO borders, and over 200 drones and missiles against capital Kyiv and other cities overnight of 9 January, deliberately targeting energy facilities and civilian infrastructure in a bitter cold, and even the diplomatic missions. This is yet another escalation by Russia.
The use of a nuclear-capable ballistic missile sets a dangerous precedent that not only threatens the security of Ukraine and Europe, but also undermines the global peace and security. The use of such systems increases the risk of escalation and miscalculation. Moreover, Russia’s ongoing missile and drone attacks pose grave risks for nuclear safety in Europe, the protective shield over Chornobyl’s nuclear reactor has already lost its primary safety functions, as verified by the IAEA after Russa’s attack last year.
President,
Supported by Belarus, DPRK and Iran, but also fueled by shadow fleet tankers illegal oil trade and supply of dual-use technologies Russia is expanding its aggression, including by engaging in hybrid actions across Europe and elsewhere.
The Baltic states, as countries neighboring Russia that still have vivid memory of what living under Russia’s occupation is about, have been providing multifaceted support to the government and people of Ukraine, reiterate our call on international community to discontinue all assistance to Russia that enables its aggression.
The Baltic states strongly condemn Russia’s deliberate attacks on civilian population in Ukraine. We urge Russia to respect its commitments under international humanitarian law, protect civilians and humanitarian personnel in all circumstances. We reaffirm our full support for Ukraine in standing up to Russia’s terror and call all to increase pressure on Russia to force it to the negotiating table.
In line with the UN GA resolution on the Return of the Ukrainian Children, adopted at the 11th Emergency Special Session on 3rd of December last year, concrete action must now be taken to the protect the rights, safety, and well-being of the children of Ukraine, especially those forcibly deported to and illegally adopted in Russia and Belarus, to ensure their safe return and accountability of the perpetrators.
We demand full accountability, including implementation of the International Criminal Court arrest warrants issued on 17 March 2023 against Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova over allegations of involvement in the war crimes of child abduction during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
President,
Russia must heed the call for peace by President Trump and the international community and immediately cease its illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression.
The Baltic states reaffirm our unwavering support for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders.
I thank you.