EU Statement UN Security Council: Ukraine

EU Statement -- UN Security Council: Ukraine

19 May 2026, New York -- Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States delivered by H.E. Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis, Delegation of the EU to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. The Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro*, Albania*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina* and Georgia, and the EFTA country Liechtenstein, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Andorra and Monaco align themselves with this statement.

I thank the Chinese Presidency for convening this meeting. Thank you to the briefers for their updates.

As Russia continues its unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, as it escalates its daily drone and missile strikes against civilians, as it doubles down on its colonial goal of subjugating Ukraine, the EU stands firmly in defense of international law and the UN Charter. From day one of Russia's invasion, we have supported Ukraine in exercising its inherent right to self-defense in line with Article 51 of the Charter. 1,545 days of Russian attacks later, we continue to do so.

Last month, the EU agreed on a 90 billion EUR loan to Ukraine to cover the country's budgetary and defence needs. A loan that is to be repaid by Ukraine only once it has received reparations from Russia. Because Russia must understand the consequences of its actions and realize that we will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. There should be no doubt in distinguishing between an aggressor and a victim -- Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbour and UN member states should continue to call it out for what it is, as they've done since 2022.

Accusations, which we often hear in this Chamber from the aggressor, that the EU is prolonging the conflict, are a head-spinning distortion of the truth. We support a full, unconditional and immediate ceasefire as well as a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions. In other conflicts too we see the importance of a ceasefire, as a first step to allow for peace talks, including very recently. Diplomatic efforts need to be stepped up without delay, and the EU has been actively involved in this regard.

Supporting Ukraine militarily does not contradict the pursuit of peace, it is a precondition for credible negotiations. Russia is also seeking military support from other nations, but for very different reasons: to continue its war and subjugate Kyiv. Russia has shown little interest in genuine talks while intensifying military action on the front as well as drone and missile attacks against civilians. Last week, it launched over 1,500 drones and dozens of missiles against Ukrainian cities, killing 24 civilians including three children. For the first time since its attempted full-scale invasion, it also struck the capital of the Zakarpatiia region. A UN humanitarian convoy in Kherson was hit. International humanitarian law must be respected and attacks against humanitarian personnel, civilians and critical civilian infrastructure must cease.

We urge all members of this Council to work with us in pressuring Russia's decision makers to engage meaningfully. This is also the logic behind the EU's sanctions on Russia. Decision-makers in Moscow seem unmoved by the reported 1.3 million Russian casualties of this senseless war. To raise the cost of the aggression for Russia's leadership, the EU has adopted 20 packages of restrictive measures. Over 2,600 individuals and entities are now subject to travel bans, asset freezes and economic sanctions. By constraining Russia's military-industrial complex, its energy and financial services sectors and the support it receives from third countries, the EU seeks to limit Russia's ability to continue its war of aggression, ensure there is accountability for violations of international law and human rights, and incentivize Russian elites to come to the negotiating table.

President,

Children are among those most severely impacted by Russia's aggression. Their protection is a shared responsibility of the international community. I reiterate the EU's urgent call on Russia and Belarus to immediately ensure the safe and unconditional return to Ukraine of all unlawfully deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children. We recall the December decision of the UN General Assembly and welcome the leadership of the SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict who has recently travelled to Kyiv and Moscow. Last week the EU hosted a high-level meeting of the Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children in Brussels, together with Ukraine and Canada. We have provided support to war-affected children, families and communities and we have sanctioned over 100 individuals and entities involved in deportation, forced transfer and the so-called "re-education" of Ukrainian children.

President,

Our support to Ukraine is a signal that any aggression is unacceptable under international law and that that aggressors such as Russia will face accountability, and will never be allowed to change borders by force.

The future of Ukraine and its citizens lies within the European Union. Its people have a right to choose their own destiny, including a path towards EU membership. No former imperial power, however irredentist or aggressive, can change that.

Thank you.

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   North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.