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Madame President,

 

Please, let me to start with a word of appreciation to the United Kingdom’s Presidency for granting our request to deliver this statement on behalf of the Baltic States - Estonia, Latvia, and my country Lithuania.

 

I also thank USG DiCarlo for the briefing and the continued engagement of the UN in documenting and reporting crimes committed during Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine spanning now over 500 days; as well as for the substantial efforts to alleviate global consequences of this brutal war of aggression.

 

Though we acknowledge efforts of our global partners in reaching peace in Ukraine, however, Russia cynically continues its war of aggression and shows no signs in ending it.

 

Russia’s manipulation of internationally agreed rules, facts and violation of UN Charter and other international agreements, abusing international structures, weaponizing disinformation and using brutal force set the precedent for future atrocities. If Russia’s actions will be ignored and legitimized this time, future of many countries in the world, that have built peace, prosperity, and sovereignty thanks to the rules-based world order, becomes at risk.

 

[Nine years ago, Russia shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 killing 283 passengers and 15 crew members on board. We support all efforts to hold Russia and all those responsible accountable for this brutal violation of international law.]

 

For ensuring comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine certain prerequisites are essential and I will focus on some of them today: 

 

First, Ukrainian Peace formula is the guideline we should follow in seeking just and sustainable peace. It gathered strong support in the UN General Assembly. Any attempts to adapt or simplify it, would risk washing out its essence and pandering to Russia’s manipulation. Ukraine must have the final say on peace on its’ soil. 

 

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as countries bordering Russia, will continue our firm stance against appeals to yield to Russia’s demands. We all have witnessed Russia’s blackmail in relation to the Black Sea Grain Initiative based on manipulation of facts regarding its grain and fertilizer exports. If Russia would be prioritizing global food security as it claims, it would have stopped inventing obstacles to the work of the Joint Coordination Centre and continuation of the Initiative. We strongly condemn Russia for unilaterally abandoning the Black Sea Grain Initiative and choosing to further aggravate the global food security crisis it created by its war of aggression against Ukraine.

 

Second, a just and lasting peace must be in line with the principles of the UN Charter, in particular sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. Russia must stop its war of aggression, and immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw its troops and equipment from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders and its territorial waters.  

As the UN community, we must ensure the protection of the core principles of our cooperation and condemn all those who are actively facilitating Russia’s war.

 

Belarus, that participates in this war by providing military equipment, training and allows its territory to be used for the offensive. Iran, that supports Russia with military equipment undermining global sanctions. Both must end their assistance to Russia’s aggression and return to compliance with international law. Belarus claims it hosts Russian nuclear weapons, as well as elements of Wagner criminal [in Lithuania’s position -terrorist] group, responsible for brutal human rights violations - in addition to Ukraine- also in Mali, CAR and elsewhere in Africa, where they operate under disguise of the so-called security providers. 

 

Third, it is essential to recognize that Russia bears sole responsibility for inflicting immense suffering upon the Ukrainian population. The International Criminal Court has issued the arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova in relation to the forced deportations of the Ukrainian children. These are only the first steps to bring perpetrators to justice. Russia must be held accountable also for numerous war crimes, including deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure and causing environmental disasters. There should be no hesitation in attributing these crimes. Regarding the crime of aggression, we all need to seek for the establishment of the Special international tribunal, following Ukraine’s lead. 

 

Madame President,

 

Together we possess the capability and determination to assist Ukraine in the reconstruction of its schools, hospitals, and roads and have already started without any delay. However, it will take decades for Ukraine and its people to recover from suffering that this war inflicted.

 

No doubt, Ukraine has the inherent right of self-defence against the Russian aggression, and we underline the decisions of the EU and NATO leaders offering robust financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes. We also welcome the decision in regards of strengthening NATO’s Eastern Flank capabilities adopted in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Vilnius 11 July 2023.

 

Let me end by reaffirming Estonia’s, Latvia’s, and Lithuania’s strong condemnation of Russia’s war against Ukraine, and express our unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. 

 

Aggression as an instrument of international relations must be condemned and eliminated. Those responsible for Russia’s war and use of military force against Ukraine must be brought to justice. We must unite our efforts in pursuit of supremacy of international law.

 

I thank you.