25.07.2025 Statement by Denmark at the UNSC open briefing on the situation in Ukraine

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Thank you, Mr President,

And I would also like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča and Assistant Secretary-General Msuya for their briefings.

Colleagues, we are once again gathered in this chamber to address Russia’s ongoing illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. A war that continues to escalate in intensity as the Russian Federation persists in its aggression against its sovereign neighbour with increased ferocity.

Mr President, allow me to make three key points.

First, in recent weeks, we have witnessed the most severe attacks against civilians across Ukraine in over three years.

A relentless and sustained Russian blitz of drones, missiles and bombs has inflicted death, destruction and despair. Kyiv has been subjected to intense overnight missile- and drone attacks. Since then, several other regions, including Dnipro, Kharkiv, Kerson, Odesa, Sumy and Vinnytsia – also came under heavy attack.

Deliberate assaults continue to be launched against civilian targets: From residential blocks and hospitals to shopping centres and other critical infrastructure. Nowhere is safe for Ukraine’s civilians. In the last week alone, at least 20 civilians have been killed and more than 100 others injured, including several children.

Russia’s claim that its armed forces only attack military targets is nothing more than a distortion of the truth. The reality on the ground tells a different story, as we also just heard from Assistant Secretary-General Msuya. This is in clear violation of international humanitarian law and constitutes a callous disregard for civilians.

Second, Mr President,

Russia’s disregard for international law is having an outsized impact on children, who suffer some of the gravest consequences. For three consecutive years, the Russian armed forces have been listed in the Annex of the Secretary-General’s annual report on Children and Armed Conflict for committing grave violations against Ukrainian children. From the latest report we have learnt that Russia’s actions in the past year have reached new levels of brutality.

In addition to the unlawful abduction of thousands of Ukrainian children, Russian forces killed and maimed 671 children, according to the report. They also attacked over 500 schools and more than 300 hospitals. This marks a 60% increase in child casualties and a staggering 150% increase in attacks on schools and hospitals compared to 2023. We recall that civilian objects are protected under international humanitarian law and must not be targeted.

Denmark fully supports the Secretary-General’s call for Russia to immediately cease all violations against children. We urge Russia to take concrete steps to prevent further violations by developing and implementing a joint action plan with the UN.

Third Mr President,

Russia’s senseless full-scale aggression continues in its fourth year. It must come to an end.

For months, Ukraine has been ready to agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. We call on Russia to accept this offer without any delay. Such a response would reflect a genuine commitment to peace.

While we welcome the agreement on new exchanges of prisoners of war reached in Istanbul this week, we cannot ignore that the Kremlin continues to pursue its illegal and brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This week Russia has continued to destroy cities, killing civilians and targeting civilian infrastructure across Ukraine. These actions undermine the foundations for peace.

Mr President, in conclusion:

While Russia’s attacks intensify, we increase our support for Ukraine.

We reiterate our call for a just, sustainable and lasting peace in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

We reaffirm the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Ukraine. 

Denmark will continue to stand with Ukraine, for as long as it takes – until the Ukrainians can once again live in peace and freedom in their own country.

I thank you.