Statement by the Republic of Lithuania at the UN Security Council Open Debate "Promoting International Peace and Security through Multilateralism and Peaceful Settlement of Disputes"
Statement by the Republic of Lithuania at the UN Security Council Open Debate "Promoting International Peace and Security through Multilateralism and Peaceful Settlement of Disputes" on Tuesday, 22 July 2025.
President,
At the outset I would like to express appreciation to Pakistan Presidency for organizing this important debate. Lithuania aligns with the Statement by the European Union, and I will make additional remarks in my national capacity.
I also thank the Secretary General for his sobering remarks. Indeed, today the UN and multilateralism are at the crossroads as the challenges to international peace and security stem increasingly from the rejection of dialogue and peaceful solutions.
Multilateralism can only work if it is not perceived as a weakness. Its strength lies in all members of the global community standing together in defense of international law and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. Only on that basis, through dialogue, diplomacy, and international institutions, can we be able to resolve disputes and maintain peace.
With reaffirmation of principles, the United Nations, other global and regional actors have a crucial role to play in addressing conflicts, protecting civilians and prosecuting war crimes, coordinating humanitarian aid and reconstruction.
Yet today we are faced with different reality. It is already more than three years as Russia, Security Council member with a particular responsibility to protect peace and international law, is shamelessly waging a brutal war of aggression by continuing its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russia is deliberately targeting civilians, humanitarian workers and rescuers in Ukraine, its troops are perpetrating torture and sexual violence in occupied territories and against prisoners of war. Meanwhile Russia’s highest officials are involved in abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children.
Moreover, Russia is rejecting all offers for ceasefire and peaceful negotiations. Actually, Russia feels emboldened by calls for peaceful settlement and has even stepped-up its attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.
Such disregard for international law and open violation of the UN Charter by Russia is fully supported and assisted by Belarus, Iran and DPRK. We also call on another UN Permanent Security Council member, China, to use it’s political influence on Russia to stop the aggression.
Russia’s blatant disregard for the law, principles, commitments and the UN Charter also poses serious challenge to multilateralism and effectiveness of peaceful conflict resolution toolkit available for the UN.
As a result, today we witness war driven conflicts spread across the globe. Often protected by Russia, rogue regimes choose to disregard the international law. Overall, reliance on war to achieve political objections is increasingly seen as viable option for conducting international relations at the expense of international law and humanitarian principles.
President,
Today we must commit to more than statements. We must strengthen the institutions we have built. That means ensuring real accountability for aggression. It also means reforming our peace and security architecture to be immune to manipulation by those who violate its underlying principles.
For the Security Council it means upholding provision 3 under Article 27 of the UN Charter, which forbids the party to the conflict from voting. And it means fully supporting countries’ right to defend themselves under Article 51 of the UN Charter, while continuing to pursue a just and lasting peace based on the UN Charter—not the logic of conquest.
Peace is not simply the absence of war—it is the presence of justice, dignity, and security. Peace will only be sustainable if it is grounded in international law, not imposed through force or false neutrality.
We need to join forces to implement the measures outlined in the Pact of the Future, particularly those aimed at intensified diplomacy to settle conflicts and disputes. As part of that effort, we must enhance and enable the support to these efforts by the UN and the UN Secretary – General good offices.
Peace is not something we can afford to hope for from the sidelines, without taking responsibility. We all must contribute —through diplomacy, through solidarity, and using multilateralism in a way that meets the realities of our time.
I thank you!
