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Thank you, Mr President,
Let me also thank Director Gotoh and Acting Assistant Secretary-General Ratwatte for their informative briefings.
Mr. President,
In the early hours of 19th July, Russia continued its relentless attacks against Ukrainian cities, and fired dozens of ballistic missiles onto civilians in urban areas. Many of these civilians were either sleeping in their beds or desperately trying to reach shelters. This constituted one of the largest ballistic missile attacks of Russia’s unjustified war.
Tragically, that night last week was far from the only recent occasion when Ukrainian non-combatants and civilian infrastructure have been hit by deadly – and clearly escalating – Russian drone and missile attacks.
On 24th July, a ballistic missile attack on a gathering of engineers, entrepreneurs and industrialists outside Kyiv killed at least 11 and injured more than 100. And glide bomb attacks the same day flattened the centre of Sloviansk, with multi-story residential building, coffee shops and supermarkets destroyed. At least 5 civilians were killed and 15 more injured.
These same attacks also destroyed the Honorary Consulate of fellow Security Council member Latvia. Denmark deplores these attacks and the tragic loss of life. This is a violation of international law We stand together with Latvia and Ukraine.
Russia’s recent attacks also severely damaged WFP, WHO and UNICEF facilities used to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable victims of this aggression. This was just days after an earlier attack hit another Red Cross warehouse in Kyiv. All part of a deeply alarming and unacceptable pattern of attacks impacting humanitarian facilities.
Denmark has repeatedly called for International Humanitarian Law to be respected in all cases. Without exception. There can be no justification for firing dozens of ballistic and hypersonic missiles on Ukraine’s civilians. No pretext for highly explosive weapons, with wide-area effects in densely populated urban areas. Such acts constitute a blatant disregard of IHL, and those responsible must be held to account.
As the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Right reported a few days ago, first May and then June broke the grim record for the deadliest months for Ukrainian civilians since 2022. July regrettably seems to be heading in the same direction. This Council – the body with primary responsibility for safeguarding of international peace and security – must not allow this to continue.
Mr President,
Ukraine has the right to defend itself in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter. As the leaders at the NATO Summit in Ankara and at the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris earlier this month made clear, we stand united in our unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Denmark will continue to support Ukraine, including through providing humanitarian, economic and security assistance, and stands ready with our allies to provide robust security guarantees. Ukraine cannot be denied the right to protect its civilians. The senseless killing needs to stop and Russia’s illegal war must end.
Denmark stands in full solidarity with Romania following the recent drone incursions and violations of its airspace. Russia’s illegal war continues to pose a long-term threat to European security and must be brought to an end.
Mr President, in closing,
Denmark once again reiterates our call for Russia to engage in good-faith negotiations, to achieve a just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter.
As a vital first step, we call on Russia to accept an immediate, unconditional and comprehensive ceasefire.
Over the last weeks and months, every Council member except Russia has made this call. The time is now for Russia to heed this call.
Thank you.
