Statement on behalf of the Baltic States at the United Nations Security Council meeting on Ukraine

President Karis delivered a statement on behalf of the Baltic States at the United Nations Security Council discussion on Ukraine during the UN General Assembly:

I speak on behalf of the Baltic States - Latvia, Lithuania, and my own country Estonia. We thank the Presidency for convening us at this crucial moment for international peace and security.

Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine constitutes one of the gravest breaches of international law and the UN Charter since its adoption 80 years ago. Despite repeated calls by the General Assembly to stop the aggression, Russia continues its brutal assault on the Ukrainian nation, which began with the illegal occupation and annexation of Crimea in 2014 and continued with the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This is totally incompatible not only with the status and responsibilities of a Permanent Member of the Security Council, but also with those of any UN Member State.

The scale of the human tragedy Russia has inflicted on Ukraine is unimaginable. Millions of homes have been destroyed and families torn apart. Tens of thousands of children have been abducted and deported to Russia, subjugated to so-called re-educational programs where their roots and identity are systematically erased. We continue to call on Russia to grant full access for the UN and independent monitors to the occupied territories, to the prisoner-of-war camps in Russia, and to the areas under occupation. Russia must return the deported children. Russia must release all civilian detainees.

In response to the recent peace efforts by the United States, Russia has only intensified its campaign of terror against Ukrainians. Russia has not held back even from targeting and damaging diplomatic facilities, in clear violation of the Vienna Convention.

The recent violations of Estonian, Polish and Romanian airspace by Russia are yet another escalation and a stark reminder that Russia's aggression threatens not only Ukraine but the security of the entire region. On Monday, an emergency Security Council meeting was convened to discuss the grave violation of Estonia's territorial integrity by Russian armed fighter jets. Allow me to thank all 50+ countries who called out Russia's actions as dangerous, reckless and in violation of international law.

Russia is not interested in peace and security neither in Ukraine nor in Europe. In March 2025, President Zelenskyy agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposal. That was six months ago... Russia, on the other hand, has shown no intention of agreeing to a ceasefire, let alone a lasting peace. Russia's objectives remain unchanged: the subjugation of all of Ukraine and the reshaping of Europe's security order to satisfy Russia´s own neocolonial and imperial ambitions.

The only viable way forward towards a ceasefire, and ultimately towards lasting peace in Ukraine, is to collectively increase international pressure to force Russia to just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Ukrainians have courageously defended not only their country but also the core principles enshrined in the UN Charter - sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. These principles are non-negotiable and cannot be compromised, as they form the very foundation of the international law based multilateral system.

The Baltic States' message is clear: Russia and its leadership must be held accountable for the crime of aggression, for the war crimes and crimes against humanity. There can be no lasting peace without accountability. Without accountability, there can be no justice. And without justice, there cannot be lasting peace.

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. In accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, Ukraine has the inherent right to defend itself against Russia's armed aggression. Defending Ukraine's freedom means for us defending the sovereign equality of all the Member states, large and small - the core principle on which the United Nations was founded.

We call on the Security Council to act. The cost of inaction is borne not only by Ukraine, but by the credibility of the international community as a whole. We urge all UN member states to increase pressure on Russia by strengthening sanctions, and by providing greater political, military, and humanitarian support to Ukraine. Impunity, appeasement and further concessions would only embolden the aggressor and would lead to new crimes and escalation by Russia.

Therefore, it remains our common duty to support Ukraine in its legitimate pursuit of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace - a peace rooted firmly in international law.

I thank you.