Checked Against Delivery
Thank you, Mr President,
And I thank Secretary-General Guterres for his presence and powerful appeal and ASG Khiari for his briefing here today.
Mr. president
For the third time in 10 days, this Council has convened to urgently address the humanitarian suffering caused by Russia’s unprovoked and brutal invasion of its peaceful neighbour Ukraine.
Denmark strongly condemns Russia’s deadly mass-casualty air strikes on Kyiv and other population centres across Ukraine on 24 May. It was the most intense aerial attack Kyiv has endured since the beginning of the war. We are shocked and horrified by Russia’s actions, and extend our condolences to the latest civilian victims of this illegal war.
These attacks represent yet another dramatic escalation. Military weapons with terrible destructive power including hypersonic missile and nuclear-capable intermediate range ballistic missiles were unleashed, resulting in large-scale civilian casualties.
Mr President,
For the third time in just 10 days, Denmark demands that International Humanitarian Law be fully respected. Without exception. And similarly demands – also without exception – full accountability and justice for all the crimes committed in this war of choice, launched by Russia.
Fundamental principles of International Humanitarian Law are distinction, proportionality, precaution and military necessity. At their most basic, they demand the “elementary consideration of humanity” to limit – and, if possible, avoid – civilian harm. Instead, we have seen the exact opposite: another Russian attack on Ukraine’s cities with more than 100 casualties.
Russia claims that it only conducts “high-precision strikes exclusively on military targets”. And let me mention a few of these so-called “military targets” damaged or destroyed by Russian attacks on 24 May: dozens of residential buildings, a metro centre being used as an air raid shelter, a school, a supermarket, and many important cultural institutions.
UN experts have independently verified that Russia’s full-scale invasion has so far killed and injured over 60,000 Ukrainian civilians. Including more than 3,500 children. The true figures are likely much higher.
Mr President,
Last week, Russia openly threatened military aggression against a fellow Council member. Now the Kremlin has threatened systematic attacks on Kyiv and demanded that international staff – including diplomats and humanitarian aid workers – leave the country. An admission that no sites – whether embassies or international humanitarian aid storages or convoys – are off limits to Russia’s armed forces. Such threats are outrageous and cannot be tolerated.
Mr President,
Ukraine has been offering an immediate, unconditional and comprehensive ceasefire for well over a year. During that time, UN experts have told us that Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian civilians have dramatically escalated.
Russia’s escalating attacks on civilians, its nuclear sabre rattling, threats against other peaceful neighbours, and now against diplomats and international aid workers in Ukraine, are signs of desperation. In the face of unsustainable battlefield losses and massive economic headwinds.
In closing, Mr President,
President Putin’s illegal invasion to remove Ukraine’s democratically-elected leaders and redraw internationally-recognised borders by force has failed. Ukraine has resisted resolutely.
The only solution is a permanent ceasefire to allow for good-faith negotiations aimed at a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter. The longer Russia denies reality, the longer civilians will suffer. The international community must continue to pressure Russia to halt its invasion. Until that moment, Denmark reaffirms its steadfast support to Ukraine, along with our partners.
Thank you.
