UN Security Council meeting on Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine
Statement delivered by Ms. Katri Lõhmus, Deputy Permanent Representative of Estonia on behalf of the Baltic States
27 July 2026, New York
President,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Baltic States. We align ourselves with the statement of the European Union.
Now in the fifth year of its full-scale aggression against Ukraine, Russia shows no signs of abandoning its imperialistic objectives in subjugating Ukraine. Recent weeks have seen some of the most intensive aerial attacks since the full-scale invasion began. Combined missile and drone strikes hit cities across Ukraine, killing and injuring civilians and destroying homes, hospitals, schools and other essential infrastructure. A Russian strike on a UNICEF warehouse in Bilohorodka destroyed humanitarian supplies worth nearly four million US dollars. On 24 July, a Russian strike destroyed the premises of Latvia’s Honorary Consulate in Sloviansk, in clear violation of international diplomatic norms. We condemn these unlawful and despicable attacks in the strongest possible terms.
Unable to break Ukraine’s resistance, Russia seeks to terrorize the population through intensified so-called “human safari” drone attacks near the front lines. Attacks against civilians and civilian objects, as well as indiscriminate attacks, are prohibited under international humanitarian law. Destroying essential infrastructure on which millions depend serves no legitimate military purpose.
The same pattern is evident in the Black Sea. With the harvest season under way, Russia is attacking grain-carrying civilian cargo ships, leaving dozens of international crew members, from Egypt, Syria, India, killed and injured. Deliberately disrupting Ukraine’s maritime export corridor, Russia is targeting global food markets, raising risk of hunger for millions in Africa, Asia and the Middle-East. We call on this Council, and the wider international community to condemn these attacks and demand that Russia cease them immediately.
We also express our solidarity with Romania for the repeated drone incursions into their airspace. Russia’s reckless behavior needs to stop.
President,
Russia’s armed and security forces have been repeatedly listed in the annexes to the Secretary-General’s reports for grave violations against children and are now also listed for conflict-related sexual violence, following the verification of 310 cases of such violence against Ukrainians. Security Council resolution 2242 welcomed the Secretary-General’s decision that all countries repeatedly listed in the annexes to his reports are prohibited from participating in UN peacekeeping operations. Forces repeatedly implicated in these abuses cannot credibly protect vulnerable populations under the UN flag. We urge the Secretary-General to apply this decision consistently and the Council to uphold and implement its unanimously adopted resolution.
We urge Russia to immediately end the indoctrination and militarization of Ukrainian children, and ensure the return of all those unlawfully deported and forcibly transferred. We also urge Russia to release all Ukrainian prisoners of war and unlawfully detained civilians, and ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all those in need, including in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories.
Every victim deserves justice and Russia’s actions must be met with accountability. We support the International Criminal Court and the swift establishment and operationalization of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine. We call on all Member States to support and assist the ICC and the Special Tribunal in their mission fight impunity, bring justice to victims and prevent future international crimes.
The Baltic States reiterate their call for an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire as the first step towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, grounded in the UN Charter and international law. Such peace cannot be imposed upon Ukraine or reward aggression.
We will continue to stand with Ukraine and reaffirm our unwavering support for its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.
I thank you.