UN Security Council Briefing on Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine
Statement delivered by H.E. Rein Tammsaar, Permanent Representative of Estonia on behalf of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia
21 October 2024, New York
President,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the three Baltic states – Latvia, Lithuania and my own country, Estonia. We align ourselves with the Statement of the European Union.
President,
The list of Russia’s violations and crimes committed in Ukraine continues to grow with every passing day. Contrary to the calls of States represented at this table for de-escalation, the statements and actions by Russian leadership indicate that these calls fall on deaf ears, as exemplified by recent Russian attacks against Ukrainian port infrastructure in Odessa and against civilian vessels, some of which were carrying grain, including to Palestine. I stress once again that Russia’s actions are violating the principles of the UN Charter, and are not compatible with its Security Council Permanent membership obligations. Russia’s attempt to derail the Pact for the Future during the UN High-Level week, including all of our priorities for the revival of multilateralism, is yet another stark reminder that Russia is a threat to global peace and security.
In addition, allow me to make three points:
First, Putin’s announcement on the 25th of September on the revision of Russia’s nuclear doctrine is a continuation of irresponsible nuclear rhetoric we have seen since the start of the aggression against Ukraine. If Russia’s leadership thinks that nuclear saber rattling helps to facilitate a peaceful solution to this war, there is a far easier solution – end the war and military escalation, and withdraw your troops from Ukraine.
Second, the increasing involvement of Iran, the DPRK and Belarus in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine must stop immediately. In addition to the DPRK providing Russia with ballistic missiles, recent reports of potential involvement of the DPRK’s troops to fight on Russia’s side in Ukraine would be an utterly dangerous escalation. We call on China, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council with a particular responsibility to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, to support ending Russia’s war of aggression, including by ceasing all material and political support to Russia.
Third, we condemn the increasing systematic executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russia. Reports indicate that Russia has killed at least 177 Ukrainian prisoners of war since the beginning of Russia’s invasion. This abhorrent practice is another cowardly act displaying Russia’s complete disregard for international law, including international humanitarian law, particularly Convention against torture and constitutes a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions. We also call on Russia has to immediately free all detained Ukrainian civilians.
President,
We stand with the Ukrainian people and reiterate our unwavering support to Ukraine’s right for self-defense, and Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. We call upon the UN membership to support Ukraine’s Peace Formula, which is the only viable framework to secure a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, based on principles of the UN Charter.
I thank you.