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08.04.2025 Statement by Denmark at the UNSC briefing on the humanitarian situation in 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 08.04.2025

Checked Against Delivery

Thank you, Mr. President,

 

I also thank Under Secretary General Fletcher for his sobering briefing.

 

Colleagues,

 

It was only two weeks ago we gathered in this chamber to discuss the terrible humanitarian suffering caused by Russia’s illegal war of choice on the people of Ukraine. Today we reconvene, tragically, in the aftermath of yet another Russian mass casualty attack. As we just heard from Under Secretary General Fletcher, a missile strike on Kryvyi Rih n 4 April in which at least 20 civilians were killed – including 9 children. A further 61 civilians were injured, again including many children.

 

Russia has said it only attacks military targets. But let us be clear.

 

This was a ballistic missile – armed with cluster munitions to maximise casualties – that hit residential buildings and a playground in one of Ukraine’s most populous cities. This is a display of complete disregard for civilian lives. We condemn these despicable actions in the strongest terms. Attacks can only be directed against military objectives and may never be directed against civilians or civilian objects, as the Under Secretary General just underlined.

 

Despite the scale of the horrors in Kryvyi Rih, we must remember it was just one of Russia’s daily attacks affecting Ukraine’s civilian population. Five civilians were also killed in Kharkiv on 3 April, including a child, with at least 34 civilians injured. The following night there was another fatal attack in Donetsk. And further attacks with civilian casualties in Kyiv, as well as Sumy, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. An endless Russian aerial blitz meant to terrorise Ukraine’s civilians.

 

Mr. President,

 

Russia could end the war today if it would only stop attacking Ukraine. Instead, it raises new preconditions for even a partial ceasefire while increasing its attacks on Ukrainian civilians, resulting in further humanitarian suffering.

 

These are not good faith actions by a country genuinely interested in negotiating a comprehensive ceasefire. These are not the actions of a country that shows any intention to implement the limited ceasefires it claims to have agreed to. Indeed, the deliberate delays – and new preconditions raised – seem particularly cynical given reports that the missile that struck Kryvyi Rih was fired from the Black Sea.

 

Ukraine on the other hand has taken the first meaningful steps towards peace with its offer of an immediate and complete 30-day ceasefire. It is now for Russia to take genuine steps that respond to Ukraine’s offer and build on this momentum without further delay. The objective remains achieving a just and lasting peace, in line with the principles of the UN Charter.

 

This was precisely what the majority of UN members clearly demanded on the third anniversary of Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion. They stood with the people of Ukraine and reaffirmed their commitment to its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

 

In closing, Denmark will continue to stand with Ukraine as we, hopefully, move closer towards a comprehensive and enduring peace built on accountability and justice.

 

Thank you.