29.05.2025 Statement by Denmark at the UNSC briefing on Ukraine
Checked Against Delivery
Thank you, Mr President,
I also thank Under Secretary General DiCarlo and Director Doughten for their briefings.
As the briefers have both highlighted, much has happened since this Council last convened to discuss Ukraine one month ago. Allow me to focus on a few major points.
First, on the humanitarian situation.
We welcome last weekend’s largest prisoner exchange since Russia’s full-scale invasion, and commend Türkiye for their continued efforts.
However, we cannot ignore the striking fact that while these exchanges were underway, Russia dramatically increased its aerial attacks against Ukraine’s civilians and cities.
In the past two weeks alone, Russia has fired over one thousand drones as well as ballistic and cruise missiles on Ukraine’s population.
Scenes of Kyiv ablaze, of buses hit while evacuating civilians, of children in the wreckage are haunting reminders of the sheer brutality of this war.
Even more cynical is the fact that some of these most deadly attacks took place while President Zelenskyy was himself in Türkiye, ready and willing to engage in ceasefire talks.
Such an escalation in attacks on civilians is completely incompatible with Putin’s claimed desire for peace.
As the Danish Prime Minister said on Monday, “During the day Putin talks about negotiations, then he bombs Ukraine during the night”.
Second, Mr President,
On the efforts to achieve a ceasefire, we have seen the victim of this aggression, Ukraine, repeatedly offer a comprehensive, immediate and unconditional 30-day ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Putin has not engaged seriously in any talks.
This playbook is well known by now.
When the international pressure increases, Putin offers a symbolic ceasefire of a few days.
We saw this for Easter, or the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.
His forces then engage in widespread violations, exposing the true and empty nature of these promises.
Just yesterday the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine published a report concluding that Russian armed forces have been “systematically” committing crimes against humanity by hunting civilians using remote-controlled drones.
Mr President,
Rather than engage in good faith negotiations, Russia has simply re-issued the same maximalist demands. Demands that Russia knows will end talks before they even begin.
Curbing Ukraine’s right to defend itself.
Violating Ukraine’s territorial integrity and internationally-recognised borders.
Offering no reparations for the hundreds of billions of dollars of damage Russia has inflicted across Ukraine.
Ukraine cannot be expected to accept terms that amount to its full capitulation and subjugation.
Let there be no doubt. These demands are completely unacceptable. They are simply distractions, smokescreens to buy time and continue the killing.
Mr President, in closing,
It is now high time for Russia to come to the negotiating table to engage seriously.
As a start, Denmark calls for an immediate 30-day ceasefire.
Denmark will continue to stand with Ukraine until a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter is achieved.
Ukraine must be free to decide its own future.
There must be accountability for the terrible and widespread suffering its people have endured.
We cannot, and we will not, remain silent in the face of this suffering and this dramatic escalation.
Thank you.