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Colleagues,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia^*, Montenegro^*, Albania^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina^* and Georgia, and the EFTA country Liechtenstein member of the European Economic Area, as well as Andorra, Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

I thank DPPA for its briefing. As this is the first formal meeting of the Council on Ukraine this year, I want to express the EU’s appreciation for the Council’s continued focus on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its consequences for international peace and security.

It is almost three years since Russia decided to launch its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and more than ten years since it began its aggression against Ukraine, violating one of the core rules of international law. Three years of violence and destruction instituted and perpetrated by a permanent member of this Council. This is not just existential for Ukraine or for Europe’s security, but also for the whole UN membership. There can be no justification for such a blatant violation of the UN Charter.

In response, the international community has come together, including here at the UN, to condemn this aggression and stand up for the UN Charter. This year again, we must continue to stand firm and united in defense of the founding principles of this organization.

2025 started, as 2024 ended, with large-scale and systematic attacks by Russia against Ukraine’s civilian and energy infrastructure, in the midst of winter, as part of a Russian plan to weaponize energy. Deliberately targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure is a war crime. We once again call on Russia to immediately and unconditionally cease these outrageous attacks. 

Earlier this week the Council learned first-hand about Russia’s treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees. The UN’s Independent Commission of Inquiry has concluded that Russian authorities committed crimes against humanity through a coordinated state policy of systematic and widespread use of torture across their detention facilities. We are alarmed at the rise in reports of summary executions of Ukrainian servicepersons captured by Russian forces. We call on Russia to uphold international human rights and humanitarian law and ensure unimpeded access of the ICRC and human rights monitoring mechanisms to prisoners of war.

We reiterate that Russia and its leadership must be held fully accountable for waging this war of aggression and for other crimes under international law. We also recall the legally binding order of the International Court of Justice of March of 2022, for Russia to immediately suspend its military operations in Ukraine.

We call on all third countries to immediately cease any and all assistance to Russia’s aggression. This includes both direct military support and the provision of dual-use goods and sensitive items that sustain Russia’s military industrial base. In addition, the EU strongly condemns the deepening military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK and Iran. The deployment of DPRK troops in Russia’s illegal war of aggression blatantly violates UN Security Council resolutions. The EU urges all States to comply with their obligations under international disarmament, non-proliferation and export control agreements.

Colleagues,

At the dawn of the new year, and in the midst of Russia’s continued attacks, the call for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, anchored in the UN Charter remains as essential as ever. The EU supports all meaningful efforts to bring an end to Russia’s war. As clearly stated by the UN General Assembly, the path to peace is for the aggressor to immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all its troops. I also want to stress that no initiative regarding Ukraine can be taken without Ukraine.

President,

In 2025, as in 2024, the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people continues to inspire our action. We will continue to support Ukraine and its people against Russia’s aggression and we will do so for as long as it takes.

I thank you.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.