EU Statement UN Security Council Briefing on Ukraine

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Madam Chair,

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, and Bosnia and Herzegovina*, and the EFTA country Liechtenstein, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Andorra, Monaco, San Marino align themselves with this statement.

I thank the briefers for their valuable insights into the stark reality of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

Today, Ukraine celebrates its Independence Day, commemorating the day in 1991 when the country declared independence from the former USSR. That decision was endorsed overwhelmingly by the Ukrainian people, with 92% voting in favour and every single one of the 27 administrative regions of Ukraine supporting it. It was subsequently recognized by the international community, including by the Russian Federation, thus acknowledging the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

On this day, our thoughts are with all Ukrainians who aspire to a life of peace and freedom. Yet, today, for the fifth year in a row, Ukrainians are forced to celebrate their national day under constant Russian bombardment while in the temporarily occupied regions millions suffer from the daily horrors of Russian occupation.

According to the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, civilian casualties have continued to rise sharply, with July 2026 recording the highest number of civilians killed and injured in a single month since March 2022. Children remain particularly exposed, with mounting casualties as attacks on homes, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure essential to their safety and development continue. Attacks hitting humanitarian workers, relief objects and civilian infrastructures have also intensified as reported, month after month, by the UN system and other humanitarian actors. The EU also remains deeply concerned about the disproportionate impact of Russia's war of aggression on women and girls, including increased risks of conflict-related sexual violence, displacement and loss of access to essential services

The reality is that the senseless cycle of death and destruction caused by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine continues unabated, 1643 days after it started. By every standard it has set for itself, Russia is not achieving its objectives. It spends 40% of its budget on its military and security. It has suffered over a million casualties for minimal territorial gains. It stands isolated internationally. Yet, Russia seems to know no limits to its egregious violation of international law, including the UN Charter, and pursues, instead, its project of territorial expansion that bears all the hallmarks of a neo-imperial power.

But it would be a mistake to believe that the consequences of Russia's war of aggression stop at Ukraine's borders. It has direct implications for European security. We witnessed this once again on 14 August when NATO had to intercept a drone over Latvia due to Russia's electromagnetic warfare, on 30 July when a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile violated Polish airspace and crashed in eastern Poland, after several similar incidents in Romania and Estonia over the last months. We condemn the violations of the airspace of EU Member States and repeat that Russia bears full responsibility for the consequences of its escalatory behaviour and its continued military actions, which threaten the security of EU citizens, regional stability and international peace.

Russia's war of aggression also extends far beyond Europe. Its military campaign against Ukraine's Black Sea ports and commercial shipping has intensified, including drone and missile attacks against oil tankers, together with systematic strikes against inland logistics, warehouses and grain terminals, in violation of international law, including the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea. This recent escalation is severely disrupting global energy and food supply chains: for instance, wheat futures are up by more than 26% compared with last year. And yet, Russia has rejected Ukraine's proposal for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, a measure that could have helped protect commercial shipping and ensure that food can reach the countries and populations most in need.

We therefore urge all members of this Council to work with us in pressuring Russia to engage meaningfully for peace. This is the logic behind the EU's sanctions on Russia. To raise the cost of the illegal aggression for Russia's leadership, the EU has adopted 21 packages of restrictive measures. Nearly 3000 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 and incentivize Russia to come to the negotiating table.

If Russia really wanted to stop the war, it could do so today. Accusations, which we often hear in this Chamber from the aggressor, that the European Union is prolonging the conflict, are a distortion of reality. Supporting Ukraine does not contradict the pursuit of peace, Ukraine has an inherent right to self-defence according to article 51 of the UN Charter.

Ukraine wants peace. The European Union wants peace. It is about time that Russia listens to the calls from all of us in this Chamber for a full, unconditional and immediate ceasefire and resumes talks leading to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on international law, including the UN Charter. The EU supports all diplomatic efforts to bring this war to an end.

The EU also urges all countries, including all members of this Council, to immediately cease any assistance to Russia in its war of aggression, whether direct or indirect, and notably through the provision of dual-use goods and components. The EU strongly condemns DPRK-Russia military cooperation, including arms transfers and the deployment of DPRK troops, which constitute a serious breach of international law and a flagrant violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions that Russia itself supported. The EU also strongly condemns Russia's deceitful recruitment of third country citizens, including many from African, Latin American or Middle Eastern countries, to fight in its illegal and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine and to work in its military industry.

Colleagues,

Beyond all else, this war of aggression needs to stop and it needs to stop now. Russia cannot succeed in changing borders by force, and those responsible for crimes, atrocities and violations of international law and Human Rights, as well as those complicit in their commission, will be held accountable for their actions.

On this special day, allow me to conclude by congratulating the people of Ukraine on their Independence Day. Your courage, resilience and unwavering commitment to freedom continue to inspire us all.

I thank you.

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