Checked Against Delivery
First of all, I would like to thank Under-Secretary-Generals DiCarlo and Fletcher for their important briefings.
Excellencies,
Today is Ukraine’s Independence Day. The 35th anniversary of that day in 1991 when Ukraine became an equal member of the family of nations again.
So, this 24th of August should be a day of celebration in Ukraine. But today also marks four and a half years – to the day – since Russia launched its illegal full-scale invasion. Ukraine should be entitled, as any country, to live in peace within its recognised borders. But, instead, it has no choice but to defend itself against an aggressor trying to redraw borders by force. In total violation of the UN Charter.
At the end of May, the Secretary-General made an urgent appeal to this Council. The spiral of escalation must stop. An immediate and unconditional ceasefire must be agreed to. While Ukraine has repeatedly offered such a ceasefire, Russia has instead only escalated.
With a largely static frontline, the Kremlin has dramatically expanded its attacks on Ukraine’s cities. Countless missiles, bombs and drones fall on populated areas. On sleeping families. On the elderly. Civilians frantically trying to reach air raid shelters in the three-minutes warning before Russian missiles strike. On emergency workers, helping to free victims from the rubble of apartment blocks. On humanitarian warehouses, and on aid workers themselves. Denmark strongly condemns these attacks. They must end. Civilians are protected under International Humanitarian Law.
Excellencies,
The scale of humanitarian suffering in Ukraine is truly horrific.
The UN has verified that at least 65,000 Ukrainian civilians – including almost 4,000 children – have been killed or injured since Russia’s full-scale invasion. Grim record after grim record is broken. First May, then June, and July, all surpassing each other as the deadliest months for Ukrainian civilians.
Denmark has consistently demanded that International Humanitarian Law must be respected – without exception – in Russia’s illegal war of aggression. And I will take this opportunity to repeat this demand again today. Fundamental principles must be followed: Proportionality, distinction and military necessity must be applied at all times. Denmark is appalled by the loss of civilian lives anywhere.
While Ukraine bears the daily brunt of this deadly war, we see increasingly serious consequences. The repeated airspace violations and drone incidents in the countries in the region are dangerous and absolutely unacceptable, and increase the risk of miscalculation. Add to this the many hybrid actions intended to disrupt, intimidate and sow instability across Europe.
The wider international community is also feeling the impact. Grain shipments in the Black Sea, and port facilities in Odesa are being attacked. Threatening global food security and supplies, which are already facing major disruption. The global scale of the war is becoming clearer by the day, whether Russia employs Iranian drones or North Korean missiles causing Ukrainian civilian casualties.
This senseless war, and the endless humanitarian suffering it brings, could stop very simply. If Russia would accept the unconditional ceasefire that Ukraine has been offering for over a year now.
It is actually very, very simple. If Russia stops fighting, the war will end. If Ukraine stops fighting, it will be the very end of the existence of Ukraine.
Over the last months, every Council member – except Russia – has called for an immediate ceasefire. The wider UN membership has called for a ceasefire. And you could ask, how many more victims of this senseless war must the world witness before Russia accepts this?
Denmark will continue to provide Ukraine with financial and security assistance as it defends itself from Russia’s aggression.
We will stand firmly with Ukraine. When Russia is destroying civilian infrastructure and energy grids, we will help rebuild them as fast as we can. We will provide life-saving humanitarian assistance, including through our contributions to the UN, to answer the urgent appeals for help. And we will support Ukraine in sustaining the vital reforms ahead of its entry into the European Union. We will not back down. Denmark and Europe will stand with Ukraine.
Because we are unified. The EU has just adopted a hard-hitting sanctions package on Russia in a further effort to bring Russia to the negotiating table. To bring its leaders to their senses. We have no choice but to increase pressure as long as Russia refuses to stop its brutal war of choice.
Excellencies, in closing,
There is no alternative to a just and lasting peace based on the UN Charter. This is the only formula to prevent this war from recurring. Russia remains set on the path of war that can only lead to death and destruction without end.
Denmark calls on Russia to abandon this senseless war and accept an unconditional ceasefire. To find a way to live with its neighbours in peace.
I thank you.
