United Nations General Assembly Eleventh Emergency Special Session (ESS)
Statement delivered by H.E. Rein Tammsaar, Permanent Representative of Estonia to the UN
New York, 24 February 2026
President of the General Assembly,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
For the fourth year, February 24 marks a sad and tragic day, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine – unprovoked, unjustified and brutal. For Estonia, February 24 has been a symbol of freedom, as we celebrate today our 108th Independence Day. On such an important day for us, we recognize the courage of the Ukrainian people. Ukraine is fighting not only for its freedom, but also for the values and international law based multilateral order that most of us hold dear.
President,
A Permanent Member of the Security Council, Russia, has chosen to grossly violate the foundational principles of the UN Charter – sovereignty, territorial integrity and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Throughout its war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia has been using the full spectrum of heavy weaponry including armed drones and intermediate-range ballistic missiles, the so-called “Oreshnik” – capable of carrying nuclear weapons, against Ukraine’s civilian population and critical infrastructure, killing and injuring an unimaginable number of civilians, including children.
Moreover, Russia has been carrying out brutal attacks against Ukraine’s energy systems for months, leaving millions of people every day without electricity, heating and water – in the midst of freezing temperatures. Russia is clearly trying to break the Ukrainian people. We call on all nations to deliver critical equipment, fuel supplies and other donations to help repair the energy sector of Ukraine.
As Ukraine enters its fifth year of full-scale war, an estimated 10,8 million people require humanitarian assistance. To alleviate sufferings of the Ukrainian people, in addition to our everyday assistance, Estonia will host the Ukraine Recovery Conference in 2027 in Tallinn, which will bring together all partner and donor countries, their public and private sectors, as well as their civil society.
President,
At least 20 000 Ukrainian children have been deported from occupied territories to Russia. We recall the relevant resolution adopted by the General Assembly last year in December, and demand Russia immediately and unconditionally return all Ukrainian children. Russia must be held accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated in Ukraine.
Despite sustained efforts by Ukraine, the United States, and Europe, Russia continues deliberately obstructing any genuine progress toward peace. Therefore, all the UN Member States need to come together and force Russia to peace in Ukraine.
Estonia calls for the swift implementation of the resolution adopted by the General Assembly today, that we proudly co-sponsored. We remain fully committed to achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine, based on international law, and in full respect of Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. Estonia’s support to Ukraine and its people remains unwavering. We will not give up, knowing very well that one day justice will prevail.
I thank you.
