UN Security Council Briefing on Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine
Statement delivered by Ms. Katri Lõhmus, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., of the Mission of Estonia, on behalf of the Baltic States
19 May 2026, New York
Mr. President,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Baltic States. We also align with the statement of the European Union.
For more than four years now, this Council has met because Russia continues its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine. Yet as long as this war continues, we will continue to condemn Russia’s violations of international law, defend the principles of the UN Charter, and stand firmly with Ukraine.
Ukraine proposed a genuine, immediate and open-ended ceasefire on the 6th of May. Russia rejected it. Instead, it used its so-called Victory Day ceasefire to secure its military parade in Moscow. For the first time in generations, Russia could not hold its own parade without fear. It was held in a reduced format and under extraordinary security measures. A telling reflection of the true state of Putin’s war machine.
Instead of merely scaling down its military parade, Russia should end its aggression against Ukraine and withdraw every military unit back to its own territory.
Even during the declared truce period, Russia carried out more than 140 attacks along the frontline and launched over 850 drones against Ukraine. As President Zelensky stated, Russia sought a pause “to hold their parade, to go out onto the square safely for an hour, and then continue killing.”
Indeed, while Russia attempts to present itself as the party seeking peace, recent days have once again demonstrated Russia’s intensified attacks against Ukraine. Hundreds of drones and missiles continue to target civilians and critical infrastructure across the country, including some of the largest coordinated aerial attacks against Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion.
The strike against a clearly marked United Nations humanitarian mission vehicle in Kherson on 15 May was cynical and unacceptable. Deliberately targeting humanitarian personnel whose movements had been previously notified to the parties, demonstrates once again Russia’s disregard for international humanitarian law. United Nations personnel continue carrying out invaluable humanitarian work under extremely difficult conditions.
The humanitarian impact remains immense. Millions of Ukrainians remain displaced globally and internally.
An urgent response is needed to the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in the temporarily occupied city of Oleshky in Kherson Oblast. The city is on the verge of a full-scale humanitarian catastrophe, and civilians are being deprived of the most basic necessities for survival. Immediate evacuation efforts and unhindered humanitarian access are urgently needed.
Russia’s systematic deportation, forced transfer, indoctrination, and militarization of Ukrainian children constitute war crimes and an attempt to erase Ukrainian identity. Nearly 20,500 Ukrainian children are estimated to have been unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred to Russia. Russia must immediately and unconditionally return all deported children. Children must never become a bargaining chip.
We reiterate our support for full accountability, including the work of the International Criminal Court and the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. We therefore welcome the adoption on 15 May of the Council of Europe resolution on the Special Tribunal, backed by broad international support and sending Russia a clear and united message that there can be no impunity for the crime of aggression.
Mr. President,
President Putin has recently suggested that the war may be coming to an end and expressed willingness for direct contacts with President Zelensky. Those words must now be matched by actions.
The path to peace is clear: Russia must stop attacking civilians, withdraw its forces, and abandon its imperial ambitions.
Until that day comes, the Baltic States will continue standing firmly with Ukraine, its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and with the principles of the UN Charter upon which this organization was founded.
I thank you.