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, 9 July 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.
We thank the Presidency of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for scheduling this Council meeting to address Russia’s continued and intensifying deliberate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine. We also appreciate statements by the briefer and Council members, once again calling on Russia to stop its barbaric campaign of terror and to agree to an unconditional ceasefire.
Early on July 6, Russia launched 68 missiles and 351 long-range drones killing at least 23 people. 15 people were killed in Kyiv, which was Russia’s main target, and 56 were injured. Another eight people were killed in the wider Kyiv region and 21 were injured. These attacks are not isolated incidents, but part of a sustained campaign of terror against Ukraine’s civilian population.
Moreover, these attacks are fully consistent with the well-documented pattern of violations recorded in the Secretary-General’s reports. For four years the UN Secretary-General has been blacklisting Russia’s military for committing grave violations against children, and, this year, Russia was also listed for perpetrating conflict-related sexual violence.
And these are the armed forces of the UN member state occupying a permanent seat on the Security Council, mandated by the UN Charter to maintain international peace and security. Such conduct is fundamentally incompatible not only with the responsibilities of a permanent member of the Security Council, but also with the obligations of every UN Member State.
The Baltic States reiterate the Secretary-General’s decision to prohibit all countries repeatedly listed in the annexes of his reports on Children and Armed Conflict and Conflict-Related Sexual Violence from participating in United Nations peacekeeping operations. A military repeatedly listed for grave violations against children and conflict-related sexual violence cannot credibly be entrusted with the protection of civilians under the UN flag.
President,
We will continue to call for full accountability of Russia, all those responsible at all levels for the crime of aggression, as well as for all war crimes and other international law violations.
We will also continue to call for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Such peace is needed not only for the innocent victims of Russia’s war against Ukraine, but also to uphold international peace and security and prevent further Russian escalation.
If Russia’s leaders are blind to grief and misery that their aggression brings to Ukraine, it is time they realize consequences for Russia itself. Since the beginning of the reckless decision to invade Ukraine, the Russian military has suffered 1.4 million battlefield casualties, including well over 450,000 deaths.
As Russia continues to pay an ever-higher price for its aggression, in Europe, we are mobilising resources to increase support to Ukraine and enhance our resilience against Russia’s hybrid activities. In NATO Summit Declaration, adopted in Ankara on June 8th, for 2026 Allies pledge 70 billion euros in military equipment, assistance and training for Ukraine.
The current trajectory of senseless escalation will not help advance Russia’s interests or its long-term legacy. It is time to take a decision that would be a step towards changing all that. That decision must be to reject war and seek peace, first and foremost by agreeing to an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire.
Let me reiterate that the Baltic States will continue providing comprehensive assistance, including military, in our unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Ukraine.
I thank you
