UN Security Council Meeting on ‘Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine’
Statement delivered by H.E. Mr. Julius Pranevičius, Permanent Representative of Lithuania on behalf of the Baltic states
New York, 8 June 2026
President,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Baltic States, and we also align with the Statement of the European Union.
From the outset I would like to thank the Colombian Presidency for scheduling this Council meeting to address yet another wave of Russia’s deliberate attacks on civilians in Ukraine.
Once again Russia’s massive barrage targeted critical infrastructure and residential neighborhoods across multiple major cities, including Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Poltava, and Zaporizhzhia. Overnight into June 2nd Ukrainian Air Defense units successfully intercepted or suppressed 602 drones and 40 missiles, but that was not sufficient to stop horror and devastation which led to the deaths of at least 23 civilians, including two children, and injured more than 100 others. Attacks continued throughout the last week causing even more damage, more victims.
Use of hypersonic missiles [such as Zircon] and other explosive weapons against residential areas, hospitals, schools, and critical civilian infrastructure is a violation of international humanitarian law.
Yet such attacks do not weaken Ukraine’s determination at defense, alter the course of the war, or bring Russia closer to victory. They are not a sign of strength, but an admission of strategic failure.
The Kremlin’s deliberate escalation against civilians in Ukraine and the staggering losses among its own forces reveal a disturbing reality. Russia not only disregards lives beyond its borders but also appears increasingly willing to sacrifice its own people by sending them to fight and die under false pretexts and propaganda narratives in pursuit of goals that cannot be achieved on the battlefield.
The Baltic States call on all UN member states to join us in seeking justice for all victims of Russia’s war and accountability for all those responsible. The inclusion of Russia’s armed forces in the annex to the Secretary-General’s report on conflict related sexual violence highlights this.
The Baltic States will continue to stand with Ukraine, including by providing military support underpinning Ukraine’s right to self-defense against the ongoing aggression. We will work together with our partners in NATO and the EU, also building our own resilience and defenses against Russia’s threat.
President,
Last week Russia’s president has rejected President Zelensky call for direct, face-to-face talks. Moreover, in a public meeting with the press, President Putin also admitted that in its recent use of nuclear capable Oreshnik missile Russia did not follow military necessity but simply struck “where it was convenient”, “in order to make decisions in the future /…/about the full-scale use of Oreshnik against designated targets, including in urban areas.”
Silence or inaction in the face of such escalation risks sending a dangerous message that deliberate attacks against civilians can be carried out without consequences, further undermining international peace and security.
We call on the Council to work together on a resolution for an immediate, full and comprehensive ceasefire in line with the UN Charter. Such a resolution is essential to protect civilians and to open space for negotiations towards just and sustainable peace.
Ukrainian people, especially prisoners of war, illegally detained civilians and illegally deported Ukrainian children, must remain at the center of any such negotiations.
The Baltic States reaffirm our unwavering support for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders.
I thank you.
