News

Statement by the Republic of Lithuania at the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly Agenda Item 62: The situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine on Wednesday, 4 September 2025. New York

President,

We welcome holding this important debate on Russia’s ongoing war of aggression and continued occupation of Ukraine territories. Lithuania aligns itself with the statements by the EU and the Nordic and Baltic states delivered by Sweden.  I also will make a statement in my national capacity.

Today almost one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory remains occupied by Russia, forcing millions of Ukrainian people to flee from their homes.  More than three and a half million Ukrainians are internally displaced, millions more struggling with severe deprivation and over five and a half million have sought refuge abroad, including tens of thousands in Lithuania.

To better support refugees from the occupied areas of Ukraine, Lithuania has been working closely with the UN Regional Refugee Response Plan that brings together national governments, UN and NGO’s in assistance to the refugees.

In this regard I would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to UN and other international humanitarian efforts and all humanitarian workers, particularly the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, ASG Matthias Schmale and all those working in the field.

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine have concluded that Russian armed forces have committed the crimes against humanity of murder and the war crimes of attacking civilians. It also found that these acts were committed with the primary purpose to spread terror among the civilian population, in violation of international humanitarian law.

This is all the result of Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine that started in February and March 2014 with the occupation and attempted annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol, and that entered the phase of the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.

People in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, as well as prisoners of war, civilian detainees and deported Ukrainian children to Russia and Belarus, must remain at the centre of international attention. They must be at the heart of every effort to achieve a just, comprehensive and long-term peace for Ukraine. It’s about the destiny of the Ukrainian people, not less than about the Ukrainian territory.

We must continue to demand that Russia provide all available data on forcibly transferred and/or unlawfully deported Ukrainian children, civilian detainees and prisoners of war and access to places in Russia and temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories where they are held.

Russia must be held fully accountable for the crime of aggression and for war crimes committed. Perpetrators must face justice, including through a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression. There can be no lasting peace without accountability. Defending Ukraine means defending peace, justice, and international law – the very principles on which the United Nations was founded.

To put an end to the suffering caused by Russia’s war of aggression, we all must increase comprehensive support to Ukraine, including by stepping up our military assistance, enhancing humanitarian efforts and contributing to Ukraine’s recovery.

Lithuania calls on the international community to exert all available pressure on Russia to agree to an immediate, unconditional, and verifiable ceasefire as the first step prior to any meaningful negotiations, paving the way towards just and lasting peace firmly rooted in Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, in full compliance with international law, including the UN Charter.

Just and lasting peace in Ukraine and long-term security for Ukraine and Europe can only be achieved when Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is put to an end. Ukraine has full right to defend itself and we will continue standing with Ukraine until its victory and beyond.

Lithuania expresses its unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, in full compliance with the UN Charter and its principles.     

I thank you.