Checked Against Delivery
Thank you, Mr President.
I also thank Director Gotoh and Director Wosornu for their briefings.
Let me begin by strongly condemning last week’s drone attacks on OCHA staff in Ukraine. While all UN personnel survived, a local resident was tragically killed in the attack. I express my deep condolences to their family.
Let there be no doubt, this attack was not a mistake. The UN convoy was clearly marked as it delivered life-saving assistance to civilians in frontline communities under constant Russian attack. And a second drone made a “double tap” strike on the rescuers who assisted those trapped in the vehicle.
And it was not an isolated incident either. Indeed, the very same day, in the very same region, a vehicle from World Central Kitchen was also attacked by a drone. Denmark calls for those responsible for these serious violations of international humanitarian law to be held fully accountable.
Mr President,
Denmark deplores the dramatic escalation in Russia’s deadly attacks on Ukraine’s civilians. April had already become the deadliest month since September 2024, and May is regrettably looking to become even worse.
Last week, in sustained airstrikes, Russia reportedly fired more than 4500 drones, missiles and bombs at Ukraine’s cities. These coordinated attacks killed at least 52 civilians, including three children, and left over 300 injured.
This was Russia’s deadly response to Ukraine’s offer to extend the three-day ceasefire. The message was as clear as it was desperate: even without any prospects of a military victory, Russia’s leaders have no interest in peace.
Mr President,
Protection of Civilians week offers an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to civilians and the rules designed to protect them. Instead, we are confronted by one Council member’s flagrant disregard not only for the resolutions of this Council but for international humanitarian law itself.
The Secretary-General’s latest report is stark. At least 2,500 Ukrainian civilians were killed in 2025, a 70% increase from 2023. Most were killed either in the relentless blitz of Russian missiles, long-range drones, and bombs, or by Russia’s barbaric use of "first-person view" drones to “hunt” civilians in frontline communities. The report also highlights Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and the strikes on Ukraine’s energy grids.
And then there are all the outrageous are strikes on healthcare facilities and "double-tap" strikes on emergency workers. To deliberately target those providing medical assistance to survivors of an attack is not only inhumane but also a grave violation of the laws of war.
Denmark calls for the full respect of international humanitarian law without exception.
Mr President,
Denmark welcomed the ceasefire from 9 to 11 May. However imperfect, this could have built momentum towards a comprehensive ceasefire. The kind that Ukraine has been offering, without preconditions, since March 2025.
We note Ukraine respected its pledges and only exercised its right to self-defence. And on 15 May 205 prisoners of war were exchanged, though we hope the announced 1000-for-1000 swap can be fully realised very soon.
Mr President,
It remains clear that a ceasefire is the first step towards a just, comprehensive and lasting peace. But this must be a ceasefire linked to a substantive peace process. It cannot be an act of performative diplomacy. Or a stalling tactic to allow President Putin to further string along the international community.
A ceasefire must be grounded in the UN Charter. Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity must be fully respected. Peace can only be achieved through "the hard yards of diplomacy" in which both sides – and any mediator – must take part in intense, good faith negotiations.
These are not revolutionary concepts. They have underpinned all peace deals ending protracted conflicts. Quick fixes will not stick. And neither will efforts to redraw internationally-recognised borders by force.
Regrettably, we see no evidence the Kremlin accepts these realities. The international community must therefore maintain maximal pressure on Russia to engage seriously in diplomacy.
In closing, Mr President,
Denmark will continue to stand by Ukraine. Ukraine is not only defending its own territory, but also the principles upon which this Organisation was founded.
Ukraine’s people, and its people alone, should be the ones to decide their future. Free from coercion. Free from aggression. And that begins with a just, comprehensive and lasting peace. We call on Russia, once again, to engage seriously to this end.
Thank you.
