UN Security Council briefing on the agenda item “Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine”.
Statement delivered by Ms. Katri Lõhmus, Deputy Permanent Representative of Estonia on behalf of the Baltic States – Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania
New York, 29 August 2025
President
Your Excellency Prime Minister Svyrydenko
I speak on behalf of the Baltic States – Latvia, Lithuania, and my own country Estonia. We align ourselves with the statement of the European Union. We thank ASG Jenča for his briefing and the Presidency for convening us at this critical moment.
Despite international efforts, it is evident that Russia has no intention of agreeing to a ceasefire. Putin does not seek even a temporary ceasefire, let alone a lasting peace. Every time he has made promises of hope – to the international community, to the Security Council, or to mediators such as the United States – Ukrainians have instead been met with yet another wave of brutal and devastating attacks.
The most recent attacks in Kyiv, on August 28, are a clear example of that. It was the second largest aerial attack since the start of the full-scale invasion, involving over 600 drones and missiles, coming just weeks after the Alaska Summit between President Trump and Putin, where the Kremlin leader was trying to deceive us into believing he sought peace. These attacks left at least twenty-three Ukrainian civilians dead, among them four children. Among those killed was a two-and-a-half-year-old child, born after the full-scale invasion and killed before ever knowing peace. Sadly, this story is just one among countless tragedies, where lives have been ruined or lost since February 2022. Behind every figure lies a human tragedy – families torn apart, children illegally deported, homes destroyed, communities shattered.
Furthermore, the recent attacks on August 28 targeted and damaged also the European Union and the British Council offices in Kyiv. This demonstrates that Russia will not cease its campaign of terror against Ukraine, even striking diplomatic facilities, in clear violation of the Vienna Convention.
Russia only pretends to have a desire for peace while relentlessly pursuing its goal of subjugating Ukraine and reshaping Europe’s security order to fit its own designs.
President,
Just a few days ago, on August 24, Ukraine marked its Independence Day. It is profoundly disturbing and utterly deplorable that in the 21st century, a European country – a full member of the United Nations – must celebrate its independence while almost one fifth of its territory remains brutally occupied by a permanent member of the Security Council. The very body created to protect, not undermine and destroy. Yet, Ukraine has shown remarkable courage and resilience in defending its sovereignty and statehood against aggression. We pay tribute to the determination of the Ukrainian people, and reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, freedom, territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Our message is clear:
Russia is the aggressor. Its imperialistic objectives remain unchanged: the root cause of this war lies in Putin’s refusal to accept the collapse of the Soviet Union.
A just and lasting peace must be grounded in the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law. The occupation of any territory of Ukraine by Russia will never be recognized by the international community, neither de jure or de facto.
Russia must be held fully accountable for the crime of aggression and for every war crime committed. Perpetrators must face justice, including through a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression. There can be no lasting peace without accountability.
The Baltic States stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Defending Ukraine means defending the sovereign equality of all Member states, large and small – the core principle on which the United Nations was founded.
I thank you.