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01.08.2025 Statement by Denmark at the UNSC Briefing on Ukraine

Who H.E. Christina Markus Lassen, Permanent Representative of Denmark to the UN
Who H.E. Christina Markus Lassen, Permanent Representative of Denmark to the UN
When 01.08.2025

Checked Against Delivery

 

Thank you, Mr President,

 

And let me once again congratulate you personally and Panama on assuming the Presidency for the month of August, you can count on Denmark’s full support.

 

I wish to start by thanking Assistant Secretary General Jenča for his briefing. I also welcome the participation in this meeting of Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and the European Union in this meeting.

 

Some may question why the Council is meeting to address the situation in Ukraine today, once again, just over 24 hours since we last convened on this issue.

 

The sad truth is that just hours before we sat here yesterday, reiterating our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Russia was busy attacking Ukraine, in one of the most vicious and violent attacks so far in this long tragic war. Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, was particularly targeted. Destructions were massive, with more than 30 civilians killed and 159 wounded, many of them children. As we just heard from ASG Jenča.

 

Even though these harrowing attacks have sadly become reality in everyday life in Ukraine, here in this Chamber, we must do all we can to break this cycle. We cannot become numb to these images, to the suffering they convey, nor can we allow Russia’s behaviour to be condoned.

 

So, following the latest massive attacks on Kyiv and other regions, Ukraine rightly asked the Security Council to convene an emergency meeting. Denmark together with France, Greece, Slovenia and the United Kingdom supported this call.

 

We did so, because we believe that as the primary body for the maintenance of international peace and security, it is our collective responsibility to respond.

 

Mr. President,

 

As we have heard, in just one night, Russia launched over 300 drones and missiles at Ukrainian cities, with devastating impact on civilians and civilian infrastructure.

 

We cannot accept this. No country who signed the UN Charter should accept this. We recall that civilians and civilian objects are protected under international humanitarian law and must not be targeted.

 

Denmark strongly condemns these attacks. It is clear that the string of attacks is escalating in intensity and that Russia relentlessly continues its illegal invasion.

 

These are not the actions of a country interested in peace.

 

Mr. President,

 

We strongly call on Russia to agree to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire without any delay. A ceasefire that Ukraine has long been ready to agree to.

 

Denmark reiterates our call for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We support all efforts aimed at achieving this goal, including initiatives led by the United States. We urge Russia to engage in the peace talks constructively and in good faith.

 

The Ukrainian people have endured too much for too long.

 

Peace is long overdue – and we truly believe it is within reach, if Russia finally realizes that its illegal war of aggression needs to end. Until then, Denmark will continue our unwavering support for Ukraine in its legitimate self-defence.

 

I thank you.