乌克兰问题 - 安全理事会, 第10267次会议 安全理事会 Date: 9 November 2026 Language: English Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/zh/sc/10267?lang=en Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations. --- Speaker 1 [7:48]: Special letter. Congratulations. Thanks. Yeah. Non, c'était parfait. Ça va. Elle est stagiaire. Ah ben voilà. How are you? How are you? How are you? How are you? Latvia · President of the Security Council [16:05]: The 10267th meeting of the Security Council is called to order. The provisional agenda for this meeting is: Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine. The agenda is adopted. In accordance with Rule 37 of the Council's Provisional Rules of Procedure, I invite the representatives of. Finland, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Ukraine to participate in this meeting. It is so decided. In accordance with Rule 39 of the Council's Provisional Rules of Procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate. In this meeting. Ms. Kayoko Gotō, Director for Europe and Central Asia, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations; and Mr. Mohamed Yahia, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator. It is so decided. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I also invite His Excellency Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis, head of the delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, to participate in this meeting. It is so decided. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of item 2 of the agenda. I now give the floor to Ms. Kayoko Goto. DPPA/DPO · Director for Europe and Central Asia [17:44]: Madam President, The situation in Ukraine has become even more dire and dangerous since our briefing one month ago. Millions of Ukrainian civilians remain under constant fire as the Russian Federation intensifies attacks on population centres and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine. Just a week ago, on 2 November, At least 55 people were reportedly killed and five injured in a horrific attack on a school building that served as a shelter and as a humanitarian distribution site in Komyssbaha, Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine. 45 people are still reportedly missing in the rubble. The following night, on 3 November, in Kharkiv, a Russian air strike hit the hospital complex, injuring at least 73 people. That same day, in Dnipro, a Russian missile strike destroyed a hospice, forcing dozens of terminally ill and elderly patients to be evacuated. On 29 October, the Russian armed forces conducted several deadly attacks across Ukraine, hitting civilian locations at busy daytime hours. In Dnipro, a Russian jet-powered drone struck the busy train platform, reportedly killing 15 civilians and injuring 14 others. In Chernihiv, two 15-year-old girls were reportedly killed and 37 civilians injured, including five children, in a drone attack on a busy downtown street. Civilian deaths were also reported in Klementiuk, Poltava region, and Izyum, Kharkiv region, as well as in Kyiv. New attacks resulting in civilian casualties were reported overnight and this weekend in Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Poltava, and Odesa regions. I reiterate the Secretary General's strong condemnation of these recent appalling attacks. As such attacks continue to escalate, civilian casualties in Ukraine are reaching record highs. This September, at least 328 civilians were killed and 2,105 injured. This figure is 85% higher than in September last year. Preliminary analysis indicates that the number of civilian casualties in October was just as high as in September. In total, since the start of the Russian Federation's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has verified that at least 17,968 civilians, including 874 children, have been killed in Ukraine. at least 57,713 civilians, including 3,504 children, have been injured. The actual figures are likely significantly higher. Madam President, the Secretary-General has also expressed concern over continuing reports of civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure inside the Russian Federation. According to Russian authorities, During the month of September, at least 53 people were killed and 462 injured as a result of Ukrainian strikes in various parts of the Russian Federation. Reports of further civilian casualties are continuing. One person was reportedly killed from the overnight Ukrainian drone attack today in the northwestern Leningrad region. This followed another reported death of a civilian yesterday as a result of a Ukrainian drone attack in the western Russian region of Kursk. On 25 October, four people were reportedly killed in drone strikes on the city of Belgorod in western Russia. Over the last several weeks, Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil and industrial facilities were also reported. In one of these reported strikes, On 30 October, in the Sumara region, industrial sites were hit by Ukrainian drone attacks, where at least two people were reportedly killed as they responded to fires that broke out. Madam President, as the Secretary-General reportedly stressed, all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, wherever they occur, are a violation of international humanitarian law. and must cease immediately. Madam President, as the winter season rapidly approaches, the Russian Federation’s intensifying attacks on Ukraine’s critical energy facilities are of great concern. The cumulative impact on civilian lives is becoming increasingly severe. Between 30 October and 2 November, damage to multiple critical energy facilities left hundreds of thousands of households across Ukraine without electricity, in some cases for several days, including in Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv regions. The outage also disrupted water supply and public transport, particularly in Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions. This destructive pattern continued again this weekend. when another 600,000 people were reportedly left without power as a result of Russian strikes on energy sites in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine. We once again reiterate our strong call for an immediate halt to attacks on energy infrastructure, which, if allowed to continue unabated, would bring immense hardship and further displacement to Ukrainian civilians this winter. Attacks against energy infrastructure also endanger the safe operations of Ukraine’s nuclear sites. In this regard, we are also concerned about the reports of repeated recent Russian attacks hitting substations of several Ukrainian nuclear power plants. Alarmingly, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) continues to report military activities near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which this weekend was again left without a stable external power supply. Madam President, the regional and global fallout of this war continues to worsen. In the Black Sea, incidents affecting commercial shipping continue to impact global food security. Over the weekend, the Russian armed forces reported carrying out attacks targeting two container ships in the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk and the port of Odesa, respectively. A third vessel, a dry cargo ship, was reportedly hit in the Black Sea, southwest of the Ukrainian port of Odesa. Such attacks are also spreading. well beyond the ports of Ukraine and the Russian Federation. On 28 October, a Liberian-flagged container ship was struck by drones in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea and subsequently sunk. This follows similar reported attacks on ships in Romanian territorial waters. This ongoing trend of attacks continues to undermine maritime safety and put at risk global food security, as alternative routes cannot fully replace the Black Sea's shipping capacity. We reiterate our call for the protection of civilian vessels and port infrastructure. We urge the sides to de-escalate and agree on practical arrangements that ensure safe navigation. Madam President, after nearly five years of record levels of deaths, devastation, and civilian suffering, the war in Ukraine is only getting more dangerous and unpredictable. The unrelenting attacks are not consistent with the ongoing diplomatic efforts. In the current grim reality, practical steps for immediate de-escalation are urgently and vitally needed, even if limited in scope. The Secretary General welcomed the recent six-day local ceasefire in the town of Oleshki in Ukraine's Kherson region. The humanitarian ceasefire, the longest since 2022 and fully implemented by the sides, was an encouraging example of what can be achieved with the necessary political will to save lives and provide humanitarian despite. We commend the United States First Lady for period 14, the ombudspersons of Ukraine and the Russian Federation, and all others involved in enabling this arrangement. It also gave us some hope that it could be replicated in other areas where civilians are suffering, contributing to broader de-escalation. In this regard, we welcome the United States-led diplomatic efforts, as well as other regional initiatives for dialogue. We urge the sides to seize the opportunity of the planned trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi later this week to make tangible progress. We hope that such efforts will help prevent further escalation, create conditions for ceasefire and a peaceful settlement, and contribute to inclusive dialogue on the future of European security. The United Nations is ready to make its capacities and expertise available in support of such efforts. Madam President, in conclusion, I once again reiterate the Secretary-General’s repeated call for an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire as an important step towards a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in Ukraine, in line with international law, including the UN Charter and relevant UN resolutions. To break the current dangerous escalatory cycle, we must redouble diplomatic efforts and seek concrete outcomes. The United Nations will continue to fully support all meaningful efforts to this end. Thank you. Latvia · President of the Security Council [29:11]: I thank Ms. Gotthelf for her briefing, and I now give the floor to Mr. Mohamed Yahya. I thank Ms. Sorry, Mr. Yahya. OCHA · ASG for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator [29:21]: Madam President, Excellencies, The humanitarian situation has been deteriorating for months. The past days have brought more death, destruction, and renewed fears of what another winter without reliable electricity and heating will bring. Large-scale attacks have again damaged energy infrastructure, homes, hospitals, schools, public transport across Ukraine. In Kyiv and the surrounding regions, the latest weekend attacks damaged more energy infrastructure, disrupted electricity, water, and heating, and killed and injured civilians. Last week in Kharkiv, a hospital was hit, patients and staff were injured, more than 200 patients had to be evacuated. And the week before last, in Dnipro, a drone strike struck crowded railway station and commuter train. The pattern is deeply disturbing. Civilians are being killed in places where they should be safe, on trains, on hospitals, while seeking humanitarian assistance, even while trying to save the life of others. Madam President, we are also concerned by the recent reports of civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure in the Russian Federation, including in the Belgorod region. the United Nations cannot independently verify the full extent of these reports. But our position is clear: civilians and civilian objects must be protected wherever they are. The essential infrastructure they depend on for survival must also be protected. Madam President, against this green backdrop, something important happened in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky. For several days, a local pause temporarily stopped fighting in and around the town. The pause was limited in time and geography. It did not alter the wider pattern of hostilities, but it gave civilians something they have been denied for far too long: a measure of safety. Roads were cleared, supplies were moved, civilians who wanted to leave could do so. The pause also helped humanitarian teams to reach communities in government-controlled areas in Khassan region. Some of these communities have been difficult or impossible to reach because of the fighting. This required practical arrangements by both sides. It also required both parties to respect their commitment on the ground. We recognize everybody who made it possible, in particular, we thank First Lady of the United States, Pope Leo, the Ombudsmen of Ukraine and the Russian Federation, and all others who made these arrangements possible. In a war of this scale, one temporary pause does not change the overall dynamics, nor does it resolve the wider challenge of reaching civilians cut by hostilities. But it demonstrates that a practical humanitarian arrangement can be agreed and implemented, even amid intense hostilities, when parties are willing to make them work. Madam President, while the United Nation was not part of the Oleshkyi arrangement, we monitored it closely and stood ready to assist civilians during the polls. For years, OCHA has called for access to civilians cut off by military operations. and safe passage for those who choose to leave. We cannot allow Olenchke to remain an isolated opening. The challenge is to agree and implement further practical arrangements that allow access to civilians cut off by fighting in other regions. Such arrangements do not replace obligation of parties to protect civilians, meet their essential needs, and facilitate humanitarian assistance. But where fighting blocks regular access, temporary arrangements are a clear lifeline for civilians. They are a meaningful way to turn those obligations into action. This is vital for civilians amid active hostilities, both in territories occupied by Russian Federation and the Ukraine government-controlled communities. Their option to find safety and essential supplies are painfully limited. They face drone attacks, landmines, and dangerous roads. Those who want to leave must be able to do so voluntarily, safely, and with dignity. Those who stay must have access to food, medicine, water, and other essential needs to survive. Humanitarian organizations are supporting people who left Oleshky after they reached government-controlled areas, helping them meet their immediate needs and safety. and settled safely. OCHA stands ready to engage all parties and support and complement further efforts to expand humanitarian access and safe passage. Madam President, humanitarian workers and assets must also be protected. Attacks affecting humanitarian personnel and assets have risen sharply this year. Twelve humanitarian workers have been killed so far, nearly twice as many as during the same period last year. When humanitarian personnel and assets are attacked, assistance is delayed, disrupted, or prevented from reaching civilians who need it. International humanitarian law is clear: humanitarian personnel and assets must be respected and protected. The parties must allow and facilitate rapid and impeded passage of humanitarian relief to civilians in need wherever they are. At the same time, we are adjusting the response to make limited resources go further, focusing assistance on most severe needs, shifting more delivery to Ukraine organizations, and using multipurpose cash more systematically where appropriate. Madam President, the winter is no longer a distant threat. Recent attacks damaging energy systems have caused long power cuts in major cities and other parts, far from the front line. In some places, millions of people are facing hours without electricity and water. As temperatures fall, long outages will make more serious consequences for civilians. Homes will grow colder, water systems will fail, hospitals and other essential services will struggle to function. National and international humanitarian partners, together with local authorities, will continue working at greater risk. They will make repairs, provide generators, deliver cash, and emergency assistance. Our winter response plan aims to help more than 2 million of the most vulnerable people. But if attacks continue, this pace, the needs quickly exceed what the plan can. address. We must be clear that humanitarian action has its limits. Humanitarian aid can help people survive power cuts, but it cannot replace electricity grid that is repeatedly destroyed by attacks. We can provide generators, but we cannot generate enough power to keep an entire country warm. We can deliver emergency water supplies, but we cannot substitute for functioning water systems. Madam President, our demands are clear. One, civilian and civilian infrastructure they depend on must be protected wherever they are. Second, humanitarian aid must be allowed to safely reach civilians without impediment. And third, Build on the opening of Oleshky, pursue practical arrangements that allow aid through and civilians to voluntarily move to safer places. OCHA and the humanitarian community at large stand ready to play their part. I thank you. Latvia · Minister for Foreign Affairs; President of the Security Council [38:13]: I thank Mr. Yahya for his briefing, and I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia. Distinguished Council members, two days before the Remembrance Day. Latvia · Minister for Foreign Affairs [38:31]: Let me start by paying tribute to Latvian, allied, Ukrainian and other countries' soldiers that sacrificed in the past and guarding our peace today. I do thank OCHA Assistant Secretary-General Yahya and DPPA Director Goto for their factual briefings. We supported the call for this meeting after those horrific Russian attacks on civilians, as described in the briefings. Let me also say that international peace and security rest on the UN Charter, on its fundamental principles, that borders cannot be changed by force, that states must not use force against other states, and states have the right to self-defense from armed attack. The UN Charter explicitly forbids the use of force, except in self-defense or when authorized under Chapter VII of the Charter. In 2022, when Russia attacked Ukraine, it also attacked these basic principles of the UN Charter. Ukraine then asked the Security Council to act to restore peace and security, to defend the Charter. Russia, as a permanent member of this august body, vetoed any action. Thus, it's also today that Ukraine is the one who heroically defends herself and the UN Charter. The European security architecture is also based on the UN Charter. For example, NATO is a regional organization in this respect, founded in accordance with Article 51, the right to self-defense against an armed aggression. So when Russian representatives seek negotiations on the future of European security, we ask them simply to respect the UN Charter. Not to distract, not to deflect, just to stop attacking the basic principles that all states have agreed to. So the problem isn't that we don't have European security architecture, we do. The problem is that Russia has violated every one of the principles and violated or withdrawn from every treaty and agreement that implemented them. So where are we now, on day 1720th of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine? Ukraine defends itself for the fifth year. The front is frozen, and Ukraine has regained some territory. Russia is unable to achieve its goals militarily. So, as we heard from our briefers, it is trying through terror against civilians to make their life unbearable. And also, we have noticed that Russia is trying the same way at peace talks. Ukraine wants peace. We all want peace. So we wish every success of the next round of talks in Abu Dhabi. A ceasefire should be immediate to allow for peace talks to succeed. And we remind that no lasting peace on the European continent can be achieved without Europe fully involved and represented. The ceasefire and humanitarian evacuation from Oleshky, brokered by the United States, offered a glimpse of hope. For almost six days, the residents of Kherson region were spared from a deliberate hunt by Russian drone operators. Regrettably, that glimmer of hope was short-lived. Russia has resumed its brutal attacks, killing and injuring civilians, and that is the reality we are facing. Distinguished members of the Council, we have heard the facts from our briefers. There is a human life behind every one of those atrocities. In just one of them, Russia killed 14-month-old Angelina in her stroller in a park. with a drone. The horrific images of this attack cannot be erased. Her mother, Inna, a primary school teacher, died later in the hospital. The facts are undeniable. Russia's leader's statements and Russia's actions prove the intent to destroy Ukraine, to destroy its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence, the Ukrainian nation itself, and Ukrainians as a national group. And I will just highlight four elements. One, Russia indiscriminately kills Ukrainians at an ever-increasing rate. According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission, civilian casualties this year are manifold higher and more than twice as high as two years ago. UNICEF reports that child casualties this year have reached an all-time high. Point two, Russia is causing serious bodily or mental harm to Ukrainians. Situation in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine is dramatic. Approximately 1.6 million children remain there. The OSCE has concluded that the Russian state-led indoctrination operates across every level of the school system. So is militarization. Children as young as 14 are being prepared to fight against their own nation. Sexual violence is widespread. UN has documented that women and girls are subjected to rape, including gang rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault. The oldest recorded victim is 82. The youngest survivor was just four years old. Point three. Russia is deliberately inflicting conditions to bring about the physical destruction of Ukrainians. As Ukraine faces its fifth winter war, Russia's attacks on energy infrastructure, hospitals, civilian buildings are at the highest level. And point four, Russia is forcibly transferring Ukrainian children. 20,651 Ukrainian children have been transferred to Russia or Russian controlled territories. It's a war crime for which the ICC has determined that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Russia's leader and its commissioner for children's rights bear direct responsibility. Why I mention these four points? These atrocities amount to acts that define genocide, and they are all clearly set out in Article 2 of the Genocide Convention. Dear colleagues, Russia's actions are also destabilizing international peace and security. in ways directly felt across Europe and around the world. Russia has closed the Black Sea grain corridor, as we heard. There are millions of tons of grain in Ukraine that will soon rot, grain that is not reaching millions hungry people around the world because of Russia. All members of the UN are urging Russia to cease its attacks on civilian shipping in the Black Sea. Stop the bombing, open the corridor, feed the world. Entire continents have a stake in this. Also, the growing technological cooperation between Russia, Iran, and North Korea, including the transfer and deployment of unmanned systems, is a serious threat to global stability. Russian drones and planes have violated the airspace of NATO nations. Russia is expanding military infrastructure at the borders of its peaceful neighbors. And Russian officials continue to spread the dangerous lies that NATO members are providing airspace for drone attacks against Russia. That is unacceptable and blatantly false. Russia must stop its lies and stop its escalatory, dangerous behavior of conducting sabotage operations in European countries and beyond. The Security Council should not tolerate continued lies. Latvia · Minister for Foreign Affairs; President of the Security Council [46:44]: Propaganda, aggression, and violations of its principles by one of its permanent members. So we urge the Council to act and call for a full and unconditional ceasefire. I thank you. I resume my function as the President of the Council, and I give the floor to the representative of Denmark. Denmark [47:09]: Thank you, Madam President, and I would like to welcome you, Madam Minister, presiding over this meeting. And thank you, Minister, for Latvia's steadfast commitment to Ukraine. Let me also thank Assistant Secretary General Yahya and Director Goto for their informative briefings. Madam President, we remain deeply concerned by Russia's continued attacks on Ukrainian civilians, particularly in the light of the recent wave of attacks. This past week alone, Russia has launched more than 115 missiles, nearly 1,900 aerial bombs, and more than 3,000 attack drones against cities and communities. And I would like to draw attention to two recent strikes, both also highlighted by Director Goto. On 29 October, a railway station was hit by a Russian jet-powered drone. At least 15 civilians were killed and 14 others injured, including one child. The victims were ordinary Ukrainians waiting to board a commuter train. On 2nd November, a village was attacked with bombs hitting a school where civilians had gathered to collect humanitarian aid. This was followed by a secondary strikes on air raid shelters where the survivors sought refuge. At least 53 civilians are reported killed, with dozens still missing. Madam President, these attacks are another stark reminder of the devastating consequences of the war in Ukraine unilaterally launched by Russia in violation of international law, including the principles of the UN Charter. UNICEF recently highlighted that child casualties are at an all-time high, with 2026 already becoming the deadliest year for Ukrainian children since the full-scale invasion began. Moreover, as it has been the pattern for the last four winters, Moscow is intensifying its attacks on energy infrastructure just as winter kicks in, weaponizing winter and increasing the suffering of the already besieged Ukrainian population in the coldest and harshest time of year. Denmark reiterates that all civilians are protected under international humanitarian law, and that all such attacks must be halted immediately. Madam President, Denmark also remains deeply concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Ukraine, which is expected to worsen further as we approach winter months. As we heard from Assistant Secretary General Yahya, the continued strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure are putting millions at risk threatening their access not only to heating, but also to electricity and clean drinking water, basic services that we all take for granted. We recall that civilian objects must be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law in all circumstances, without exception. An immediate ceasefire is an essential precondition to protect civilians and stop humanitarian suffering. Attacks in the Black Sea have also continued, with implications for regional stability, maritime security, and global grain supplies. It is with this in mind that Denmark once again calls for a double moratorium on attacks against energy and other civilian infrastructure, and on hostilities in the Black Sea. The recent local ceasefire in Oleshky, secured with the involvement of the US First Lady, has provided much-needed relief to civilians in Oleshky and those who have been evacuated. This truce can be an important confidence-building step and a reminder that local ceasefires can work and that progress towards peace is possible. We call on Russia to demonstrate its willingness to take further steps to this end, as Ukraine has already done. Russia has the opportunity to do so later this week in Abu Dhabi. Madam President, Russia must engage seriously and in good faith towards a full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire, a ceasefire that would be in the interests of its own people and give much deserved relief to the people of Ukraine. There's no alternative to a just and lasting peace, firmly rooted in international law and based on the UN Charter. Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders must be respected. We call on the international community to increase pressure on Russia to this end, and we call on Russia to match Ukraine's desire for peace and to end the immense suffering caused by this senseless war. I thank you. Latvia · President of the Security Council [51:57]: I thank the representative of Denmark for the statement, and I now give the floor to the representative of France. France [52:06]: Thank you, Madam President, Madam Minister. Welcome to New York. You are aware of France's support for your country this month that it's taking up the Security Council presidency. I'd like to thank Ms. Kayoko Goto, Director in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, and Mr. Mohamed Yahya. Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs for their briefings, which demonstrate not only the urgency of the situation, but also remind us that targeting civilians represents in and of itself a violation of international law. Madam President, our Council is meeting today in the wake of repeated killings of Ukrainian civilians in recent days in massive Russian airstrikes. The illegal attacks suffered by Ukraine shows the scale of the violence on the Ukrainian people. On 2 November in Komychuvka in the Zaporizhzhia region, at least 53 civilians were killed in an airstrike on a school being used as a humanitarian aid distribution centre. On 29 October, 15 civilians lost their lives in a Russian drone attack on Dnipro’s central railway station. On the same day, five civilians, medical personnel, were killed in an airstrike on the city of Izium in the Kharkiv region. These merciless attacks on civilians are part of a broader context, a new Russian policy, which It's both inhumane and illegal. Russia is openly seeking to provoke a major humanitarian catastrophe this winter by deliberately targeting power generation and heating facilities and also water supply networks in major Ukrainian cities. While Ukraine expressed its readiness to observe the energy ceasefire announced by President Trump on the 11th of October, Russia has never let up in its attacks on Ukraine's critical civilian infrastructure. On the night of 6 November, in particular, Russia launched some 40 missiles against electricity transmission infrastructure around Kyiv. The intensification of attacks specifically against civilians represents, I repeat, a deliberate violation of international humanitarian law. It is a reflection, without doubt, of Moscow's failure on the battlefield, where its army is making no headway in the face of the effective and brave resistance of the Ukrainian armed forces. What it is failing to obtain through fighting, it seeks to obtain by targeting women, children, and the most vulnerable people. France condemns the repeated attacks against civilians and critical civilian infrastructure throughout Ukrainian territory. We denounce the strategy aimed at breaking the will of the Ukrainian people by inflicting ever greater suffering on them. And France stands alongside Ukraine through these challenging times. Together with our European partners, we reaffirm our determination to continue providing unwavering support for Ukraine's legitimate self-defence and all of our efforts to bring an end to the war. We remain determined to increase pressure on Russia to end this war of aggression. Madam President, the localised ceasefire secured around the city of Oleshki shows that another path is possible. We commend the personal involvement of the US First Lady to obtain this outcome. and we call for further localised ceasefires to ease the suffering of the civilian population. Alongside the overwhelming majority of the international community, we demand an immediate, comprehensive and unconditional ceasefire. This requires Moscow to engage seriously with the various negotiating platforms established to date. France has been involved at every stage of diplomatic efforts to achieve a political solution. We reiterate that Ukraine's sovereignty belongs only to Ukraine, that matters relating to European security cannot be resolved without Europeans, that Ukraine must receive robust security guarantees to deter Russia from launching another invasion. It is in this spirit that, together with the United Kingdom and all of our partners in the Multinational Force for Ukraine, we are currently conducting the exercise Koalitsia in Poland and Turkish waters. Madam President, France will continue to work tirelessly for peace and stability in Ukraine and on the European continent. Thank you. Latvia · President of the Security Council [56:59]: Thank you very much to the representative of France. And I think I give the floor to the representative of Greece. Greece [57:06]: Thank you, Madam President. Minister, allow me to warmly welcome you to the Council and to thank you for presiding over today's meeting. I would like to begin by thanking for convening this meeting and Director Goto, as well as Assistant Secretary Yahia, for the comprehensive, albeit harrowing, briefings. Greece, along with other members of the Council, requested this meeting with a view to discussing and condemning the October 29th horrendous attack by Russia against the railway station in Zaporizhzhia, leading to dozens of dead and injured civilians, as well as other attacks on the same day in Chernihiv and Kremenchuk. Yet, This strike was merely another link in a long chain of escalation, immediately followed by further attacks. The worst was yet to come, including in the form of nine aerial glide bombs and double-tap strikes against a former school facility converted into a humanitarian center and shelter in Zaporizhzhia, causing scores of casualties. We echo the Secretary General in strong condemnation of continuing Russian attacks against population centers in Ukraine and convey our condolences to the families of the victims, as well as our hope for a swift recovery for the injured. We are calling on Russia to immediately stop such attacks, which violate fundamental principles of international humanitarian law, including the principles of precaution, distinction, proportionality, humanity, and military necessity. We reiterate our condemnation of any attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure wherever they may occur. In parallel, Russia has resumed its attacks against energy infrastructure in its effort to weaponize the coming winter and subject millions of Ukrainian citizens to the cold and the dark. Accountability of such violations of international law should not be waived. In that regard, we recall the latest findings of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. It is deplorable that the continuous escalation against Ukrainian civilians took place concurrently with the localized ceasefire in Olesky, achieved through the efforts of the United States and the First Lady Melania Trump. We commend this effort, and we hope this case paves the way for more humanitarian access to areas that urgently need it. At the same time, we encourage the continuation of confidence-building and humanitarian measures, including a moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure, exchanges of prisoners of war, and the release of civilian detainees. Madam President, Greece has long warned of the danger of the double escalation of this war, both in severity and in global repercussions. Continued attacks in the Black Sea and the Danube threaten maritime security and exacerbate food and energy security, exporting the crisis in countries which rely on these goods. We have consistently underscored as unacceptable the targeting of commercial vessels, directly threatening freedom and security of navigation and leading to a severe disruption of food and energy supply chains. We reiterate that freedom of navigation must be fully and unconditionally protected in accordance with international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We also stress that vessels conducting lawful transportation of cargo should not be targeted. At the same time, we condemn any incidents affecting fellow EU and NATO member states, which endanger European security even further. We express our solidarity with them and deplore all actions that contribute to further escalation. Madam President, Greece reiterates its continuous engagement in supporting diplomatic efforts that could restore peace in Ukraine, in line with international law and the UN Charter. In view of tomorrow's bilateral talks in the United Arab Emirates, we regret that Russia has not agreed to a comprehensive ceasefire and that these talks will be conducted with continued warfare as a backdrop. We reiterate our strong conviction that a peace settlement can be just and lasting. only when firmly based on full respect of Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, a settlement that will preclude the change of borders through the use of force and guarantee Ukraine's safety and security as part of Europe's post-war security architecture. I thank you. Latvia · President of the Security Council [1:02:34]: I thank the representative of Greece for the statement, and I give the floor to the representative of the United Kingdom. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [1:02:42]: Thank you, Madam President, Madam Minister, and thank you to Assistant Secretary General Ojha and Director Gotto for your briefing. On the 30th of October, a Russian drone struck a railway station in Dnipro, killing at least 15 civilians and injuring another 14. On the 2nd of November, Russian bombs struck a school operating as an aid center in Zaporizhzhia region. The attack killed at least 55 Ukrainian civilians, making it among the deadliest of the war. On 7 November, Russian drones and missiles hit civilian energy and wider infrastructure, including Kyiv’s Northern Bridge. And on 8 November, Russia’s attacks killed a further seven Ukrainian civilians. In the last four months, such Russian attacks have killed over 1,540 Ukrainian civilians. Unable to achieve his objectives on the battlefield, President Putin is intensifying attacks on Ukraine's cities and on her people. And we must not, in the frequency of these attacks, lose sight of what each individual death means. Behind every number is a loved one lost, a family broken, a community torn apart. Nor must we forget what it means to live in fear. while doing the everyday acts of everyday life, like getting on a train or driving a car, sending our children to school, or being able to turn on the heating to protect against freezing temperatures. Since President Trump called for an energy ceasefire on 11 October, Russia has launched over 150 ballistic missiles at Ukraine, mainly at energy infrastructure. The UN Commission of Inquiry reported last month that for more than four years, Russia has pursued a state policy of attacking Ukraine's energy infrastructure, intensifying strikes as the temperature plummets, despite the impact on civilians. The commission concluded that these acts, attacks constitute war crimes. Just as we must not lose sight of the impact of attacks on civilians. This Council cannot allow the frequency of attacks on civilian infrastructure to become a new normal, including because Russia's Ministry of Defence has made its intent plain to the people of Ukraine. This winter, they say, you will freeze. For the past four years, President Putin has sought to use winter to do what his missiles have failed to do, to break the resolve of Ukraine's people. Each year, that has failed. The United Kingdom and our partners will stand with Ukraine through the winter, and for as long as it takes, as they continue to resist Russia's aggression and to fight for their peace and security. Because Europe's commitment to supporting Ukraine is unshakable. Madam President, we have seen what is possible when there is political will. The humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky, brokered with the support of the United States. allowed aid to reach civilians and enabled hundreds to leave desperate conditions under Russian occupation. We welcome that. But it should not take an extraordinary intervention to secure a few days of safety for civilians. Russia is not winning this war. There were 54,000 Russian casualties last month alone, but Russia has gained net zero territory this year. So our message is simple. Russia has a choice. Continue the painful and costly war, or choose peace. Ukraine wants peace. The international community wants peace. Russian aggression will not succeed. Thank you. Latvia · President of the Security Council [1:06:52]: I thank the representative of the United Kingdom for his statements, and I give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation. Russian Federation [1:07:03]: Madam President, we don't know what the Ukrainian side is seeking to achieve, having requested these now tired and clichéd, including for the sponsors of the Kyiv regime, meetings. And when it comes to resolving the Ukrainian crisis, they certainly do not bring us any closer towards that end. However, we supported the conduct of today's meeting, which was requested by Ukraine and its group of support, or more accurately, handlers, because there is something to tell you. On the 2nd of November, in the underground area of a home, in the basement of a home in Petro-Pavlivska, Borshchovka, near Kyiv, there was a prison was identified where the torturers from the first corpus of the Ukrainian Azov National Guard were abusing and torturing dozens of consignment age men and even a 14-year-old adolescent. It is telling that the affiliation of this facility with Azov was officially confirmed by its leadership. Many of these prisoners were rounded up, rounded up by military personnel on the streets in order to fill the ranks of cannon fodder, which some of whom unilaterally abandoned the National Guard. In the subterranean torture chambers, they were re-educated with the use of torture and beatings. They were forced to sign the necessary papers and to consent to being deployed to the area of armed hostilities or to buy their way out. And some were being used as a material, so to speak, for the development of Banderite sadistic methods of command and oversight. Since 2014, Azov has been broadly using the establishment of such torture chambers to abuse Russians and Ukrainians. It is well known what they were perpetrating in Donbas and primarily in Mariupol. So if I say to recall the torture, the underground torture chamber called Biblioteca, library, today's topic became, was aired after one of the maimed persons was managed to liaise with the outside and to call for assistance. Four people required urgent medical assistance. The armed people guarding the building only allowed medics in after they were pressured by the crowd. The citizens residing in the information vacuum created by the Kyiv authorities under the pressure of aggressive propaganda, these citizens were shocked by the truth which came to light. On Bankovaya, there was panic, police were rounded up, and there was attempted to sweep this incident, which was inconvenient to them, under the rug. And the head of the office of Ukrainian president, Mr. Budanov, went over to calm the people, emotionally recognizing, acknowledging the outrage of Ukrainians that in their home, that there were such homes, such torture chambers throughout Ukraine. And at the same time, representatives of law enforcement, Budanov himself, judging by the footage forgot the Ukrainian language, which they had superficially embraced, and they tried to calm the outraged citizens in the Russian language, which historically the absolute majority of residents of Kyiv speaks in, and which the current Ukrainian authorities are so ardently attempting to prohibit. Having understood that the efforts undertaken are not resulting in citizens being muzzled, law enforcement officials, Mr. Boudanov, withdrew, and the armed wing of Azov took their place. And using physical force and using fire and other methods of assault, they dispersed the protesters. As a result, under harsh pressure of Ukrainian security forces, more than 100 dissenters, some of whom remain detained. were detained. And as is always the case, the strongest and most robust executioners were needed for Mr. Zelensky, not in the trenches, but rather for the protection of himself from his own people. The Permanent Representative of Ukraine, during the last Security Council meeting from this here, insinuated that we allegedly are calling the Ukrainians cockroaches and lice. This is a lie. But now, let him explain to us the degree to which the Kyiv authorities have resorted in dehumanizing their own people. When people are being rounded up in the streets, they're being demeaned, they are being tortured, and they are being murdered. subterranean torture chambers. That is Zelensky's real approach towards his own citizens, and their human dignity is being trampled upon, and lives are being expendable for the continuation of a warfare. The scandal in Bershagovka is only one of the episodes which has compelled parties to once again draw attention to the practice of the secret imprisonment of people in Ukraine. Another equally horrific history is the way Russian prisoners of war are being treated The evidence from liberated PLWs is disclosing a widespread network of underground prisons in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and other oblasts. The prisoners are being kept under inhumane conditions in basements, garages, industrial facilities, and abandoned facilities without official records nor with any access for international humanitarian organizations. Behind closed doors of these facilities, real terror is reigning, including atrocious beatings, torture, electric shocks, sexual violence, maimings, deprivation of water, deprivation of food, deprivation of medical assistance. There have been instances of extrajudicial murders registered, including murders as a result of tortures and secret burial sites. Such crimes include the participation of of IDAR units, as well as representatives of the SBU and the GUR. These issues are not reflected in the corresponding reports of the United Nations, including the OHCHR. Do you know why? And yet, the dirty lie about sexual violence against Ukrainian POWs is circulating from every haven of pro-Ukrainian propaganda, every iron of pro-Ukrainian propaganda. We are aware of how such confessions and information is being received. Madam President, the lawlessness of the Ukrainian forces is being compounded by large-scale corruption festering within the law enforcement bodies, government enterprises, and the procurement system, there is a well-known disclosure of the Carthage operation, where high senior SBU officials, those are the general prosecutor general and the national police of Ukraine, have been embroiled. According to the investigation materials from the Ukrainian Guardians of Order, Ukrainian criminal groups have been provided cover, fraudulent call centers have been provided cover, and there is illicit trafficking in narcotics as well as fraud fraudulent currency, abduction of people, and attacks. The overall sum of the document illegal revenue from just one of these episodes, just one of these episodes, was more than 21 million U.S. dollars. Officials who have been assigned with fighting against crime themselves are at the heart of the investigation. about this, and equally scandalous circumstances unfolded during the Medas operation. In the energy sector, there is a kickback scheme that has been disclosed of 10 to 15% of the value of state contracts from 2020 to 2025. More than $124 million were funneled through the criminal organization structure. And in the defense sector, drones purchased at prices 60 to 95% above market rates were carried out with damage to the state, a loss to the state of approximately $5.6 million, while Ukrainians are calling upon all to sacrifice for the front within the government structures. Illegal enrichment schemes are being covered up to the tune of millions of dollars. This is the real price of the publicized anti-corruption reforms in Ukraine. Against the backdrop of all of these disclosures, European authorities are completely ignoring these facts. They are covering up for the criminal Kyiv regime. They continue to provide a funnel in weapons and money to Ukraine, maniacally unleashing a juggernaut of militarization, inflating hysteria around the mythical Russian threat, and methodically indoctrinating their own population with mindsets about the inevitability of war with our side. And what is this money being used for? Murder, for torture, for the enrichment of sadists and the corrupt. It seems that officials in Brussels have definitively unlearned the distinction between diplomacy and military misadventures. Common sense was sacrificed in the heat of Russophobia. The ink had not even dried yet in Brussels, with Kyiv receiving a credit to the tune of 90 billion euros for 2026 to 2027, and Zelensky already trotted out new figures. Another 70 billion for next year, with overall request of 155 billion. And the president of the European Union, Mr. Koscher, eagerly sought to cover up the cover for two-thirds of additional sum, approximately $46.7 billion. And the consequences of profligate policy are being felt throughout Europe. The severing of trade and economic communications with Moscow, sanctions related costs, energy crisis, support to Kyiv, a heavy burden for European budgets and in the wallets of ordinary civilians. A wave of protests and a domino effect has engulfed France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. And the situation in France is telling, where there are large-scale protests against the authorities, and they are protracted in nature. Hundreds of thousands of citizens have taken to the streets. They are outraged at the worsening living conditions and the reduction in social guarantees. It seems that ordinary Europeans are beginning to understand that they were misled for years, intimidated with the notorious war with the East, and now their attempts to pay for their own welfare, to keep Kyiv afloat in geopolitical ambitions, the chieftains of Europe to weaken the Russian Federation, and as the current President loves telling us about here in this chamber. Madam President. as our President enjoys talking about. Madam President, having continued to provide weapons to Europe and to provide with political cover, Western capitals prefer to overlook another far more horrendous facet of what is taking place. I refer to the deaths of Russian civilians in Russian regions as a result of strikes by the UAF. This includes women and children. From February 2022 until late September 2026, As a result of UAF attacks, nearly 36,947 civilians were casualties and 9,213 died; 27,734 were wounded. The victims include 1,911 children, 314 of them died. particularly bloody, was the third quarter of 2026. There were nearly 102,000 munitions targeting civilian facilities in Russia, and that is 85% higher than the figure for the corresponding period. In three months, 631 people died, including 4,359 who were wounded. 54 were dead on average, and people continue to be wounded on a day-to-day basis. So the coverage is expanding, including 40 Russian regions. Those areas being targeted, including homes, hospitals, schools, markets, energy infrastructure. A separate category of crimes includes attacks against medical workers, rescuers, communal service delivery workers, including a double-tap secondary strike targeting teams of people who arrived to assist those who have been wounded and killed, and as a result, 22 people died and another 123 were wounded. A blatant example of the consequences of the criminal acts of the U.S. was a humanitarian catastrophe in Alyoshka, Kherson Oblast. The Ukrainian units have effectively blockaded the city, depriving the remaining residents of opportunities to receive what is most necessary and to safely evacuate. Under these circumstances, what was particularly significant were the ceasefire agreements arrived at with mediation of U.S. First Lady Melania Trump. Thanks to these efforts, humanitarian operation was organized, civilians were evacuated, and assistance reached those who remained in the city. We extend particular gratitude to the First Lady for those efforts. Such targeted agreements are humanitarian, carry humanitarian value, first and foremost, insofar as they help to save human lives, even amid ongoing armed conflict. In Europe, as is usually the case, they're turning everything on its head without batting an eye. They're alleging that this was possible only allegedly following the Russia ceasing to fire on Losky and the fact that it was the UAF which planned all exit points for this residential area, attacking any humanitarian cargo being sent to the area, deliberately targeting civilians who remain in the city. Of course, that was not mentioned at all. Literally two weeks ago, Rodion Miroshnik, the ambassador pursuant to specific instructions from our foreign ministry, on the crimes of the Kyiv regime during an ARIA formal meeting, which we organized, showed the corresponding photo and video material interview with the mayor, Mr. Aleshkin. And this too was cynically ignored by our European so-called partners. The Zelensky regime and his Western sponsors continue to attempt to replace a full-fledged settlement to the Ukrainian crisis with so-called truces, energy truce, food truce, air truce, and maritime truce. And behind these initiatives, one can see the West attempting to provide Kyiv with a respite in order to offset losses, to regroup its forces, to rearm, and to replenish its military capabilities, looking towards a subsequent resumption of hostilities. Russia cannot accept this scheme. We will not consent to freezing the conflict, which will allow for the maintenance of the existing threats to our security and for conditions to be established for further escalation. Our position is firm. It remains unchanged. The resolution needs to be comprehensive. lasting and long-term to provide for the eradication of the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis, first and foremost, the strategic threats from the Western direction, violation of the rights of Russian language and Russian populations, and addressing the spread of neo-Nazi ideology. Without addressing these fundamental issues, there can be no lasting peace. Alas, the European politicians who have been talking about preparations for war with Russia by 2029-30, they would be well advised to bear in mind the consequences of this dangerous policy. Our country repeatedly stated that we are not keen to engage in armed confrontation with Europe. However, if European states themselves unleash a war, the nature of the confrontation will be different in principle, and the situation may escalate quickly. needs to be borne in mind by those who so recklessly toy with the prospect of direct military confrontation with a nuclear power. Neither attempts to supplant a full-fledged settlement with temporary truces nor our policy towards military confrontation will compel us to abandon our position and principle. The achievement of the goals of the SMO and achievement of a lasting peace remain unchanged. We have all the necessary resources to achieve this. Support from society and the political will. Thank you. Latvia · President of the Security Council [1:24:31]: I thank the representative of the Russian Federation for the statement, and I give the floor to the representative of Somalia. Somalia [1:24:39]: Madam President, at the outset, we thank Director Gota and SG Yahya for their comprehensive briefings. We welcome Her Excellency, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Latvia, for presiding over the meeting. We also welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Ukraine in today’s meeting. Madam President, The latest developments on the ground demonstrate that the longer this conflict persists, the longer human suffering is extended, and the prospects for achieving a durable sustainable peace are diminished. Somalia is deeply troubled by the continuous escalation of military actions affecting civilian and critical infrastructure. The protection of civilians and critical civilian infrastructure are non-negotiable obligations enshrined in international humanitarian law. In this regard, we call upon all parties to strictly adhere to their obligations under international law and international humanitarian law. Madam President, our delegation notes with encouragement recent positive humanitarian confidence-building measures, particularly the latest prisoners of war and civilian exchange successfully concluded at the end of October, as well as the localized humanitarian pauses to facilitate essential relief deliveries. Such steps are a crucial reminder that direct communication channels must remain open to alleviate, appreciate human suffering, and lay the groundwork for the broader understanding. We reiterate our firm conviction that there is no military solution to this protracted conflict. Dialogue and diplomacy remains the only viable instruments to bring an end to violence. In this context, Somalia welcomes the resumption of the trilateral talks led by the United States to bring together Ukraine and Russian Federation delegations. We urge all parts to prioritize immediate de-escalation exercise the utmost restraint and commit to an immediate and comprehensive cessation of hostilities. Madam President, a durable, just, and comprehensive resolution must address the underlying causes of the crisis and adhere strictly to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. Sustained peace will demand sincere compromise, mutual confidence-building measures, and a shared commitment to a common and lasting security. To conclude, Madam President, our delegation reaffirms its steadfast support for all constructive diplomatic initiatives aimed at restoring peace, security, and stability. The people of Ukraine and all those affected by this conflict deserve peace, dignity, and a secure future. I thank you. Latvia · President of the Security Council [1:28:26]: I thank the representative of Somalia for the. Statement, and I will now give the floor to the representative of Panama. Panama [1:28:35]: Thank you, Madam President. We are grateful for the briefings by Ms. Kayoko Goto, Director of the Europe and Central Asia Division of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, and by Mr. Mohammed Yahya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. We thank them also for their valuable insights, which allow us to better understand the situation on the ground. We acknowledge the presence here of the representatives attending this meeting. After meeting on this same conflict 37 times since Panama, has been participating in the Security Council without having achieved greater success to encourage the parties to pursue a negotiated, non-military solution. The convening of this meeting once again reflects the gravity of the humanitarian situation of the conflict in Ukraine, which demands the utmost attention of this meeting, of this Council. Every report that we receive on the developments on the ground is worse than the previous one. It reminds us, particularly starkly, of the human dimension of the conflict and the suffering of those affected by it. Attacks affecting residential areas, educational facilities, and civilian infrastructure, including transport networks, demonstrate the profound impact of the conflict on the daily lives of the population. We are increasingly alarmed by the rising number of civilian deaths and injuries. After nearly five years of sustained violence, the intensification of attacks on energy infrastructure as winter approaches is a matter of particular concern. These attacks must cease. Respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians are binding obligations. The ceasefire in Aleshki, which enabled a temporary humanitarian corridor from 27 October to 1 November, achieved under the auspices of the US First Lady Melania Trump, represented a significant step that should be replicated, respected, and expanded to address humanitarian needs. Preserving these windows of respite is essential. But the scale of the suffering calls for broader commitment between the parties to ending hostilities. We reiterate that an immediate and lasting ceasefire can no longer be delayed. Madam President, we express our deep concern at the escalation of attacks against ports and merchant vessels in the Black Sea. There is an urgent need to protect the lives and safety of their crews, safeguard commercial shipping, and ensure respect for international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. For Panama, whose maritime tradition represents a cornerstone of its development and links with the wider world, the defense of freedom of navigation and the security of international trade are of particular importance. These attacks are exacerbating the global maritime security crisis and jeopardizing food security. It is urgent to de-escalate tensions in order to prevent further disruption to supply chains and increases in transport and food costs, which directly affect the daily lives of our populations. Panama reiterates that Only through diplomacy will it be possible to bring an end to this conflict. Therefore, we support ongoing diplomatic efforts, and we hope that the talks will address the root causes of the conflict and will lead to concrete and effective commitments by the parties to cease hostilities and to achieve a just and lasting peace. Thank you very much. Latvia · President of the Security Council [1:33:08]: I thank the representative of Panama for the statement, and I will now give the floor. To the representative of China. China [1:33:19]: President, I welcome Foreign Minister Brajesh presiding over this meeting and thank Director Goto and ASG Yahia for their briefings. A crucial moment is approaching for a negotiated settlement of the Ukraine situation. The international community's calls for peace and encouragement of peace talks are growing ever stronger. Recently, there have been a flurry of engagements and interactions among the key stakeholders, sending some positive signals. China supports all efforts for peace and hopes that the parties will move in the same direction, keep up the positive momentum, and push for an early political settlement of the crisis, I’d like to touch on three points. First, it is imperative to hold the humanitarian line and work to de-escalate the situation. Recently, the parties conducted a new round of prisoner exchanges, and reached a localised humanitarian ceasefire, which enabled many civilians to evacuate the frontlines safely and receive humanitarian assistance. These developments deserve recognition. We call on the parties to place people's lives first, exercise calm and restraint, and effectively protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, especially women, children, and other victims of the conflict. At the same time, humanitarian relief efforts should be intensified to help those affected by the crisis overcome their hardships. The parties to the crisis should strictly comply with applicable international law and ensure proper living conditions, medical treatment, and dignity for prisoners of war and detained persons. Second, it is imperative to strengthen the will for peace and seize the window of opportunity for peace talks. Recently, the parties have expressed their views on how to achieve a political settlement of the crisis, while the international community has undertaken extensive diplomatic efforts to facilitate peace talks. Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. will also hold a new round of trilateral talks. The parties concerned should demonstrate political will. political will, maintain contact and communication, build consensus in increments, and work together towards a comprehensive, durable, and binding peace agreement. We look forward to the international community creating favorable conditions and playing a constructive role for peace talks. Third, it is imperative to address the root causes of the crisis and seek lasting peace. There are no winners in conflict and war. The parties concerned should draw lessons from this crisis, uphold the principle that security is indivisible, attach importance to and properly address each other's legitimate security concerns, especially the root causes of the conflict, and build a balanced, effective, and sustainable regional security architecture. President, China's position on the Ukraine issue has been consistent. Guided by the four points laid out by President Xi Jinping about what should be done on this matter, China has consistently promoted peace talks and worked for a political solution. We have stayed closely engaged with the parties concerned, including Russia and Ukraine, actively conducted shuttle diplomacy, and worked tirelessly to create conditions for negotiations and forge consensus for peace. China remains committed to working with the international community to continue its unremitting efforts towards an early ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, as well as lasting peace and stability in the region. I thank you, President. Latvia · President of the Security Council [1:37:11]: I thank the representative of China for his statement, and I now give the floor to the representative of Pakistan. Pakistan [1:37:23]: Thank you, Madam President. I welcome you for presiding over meeting today and also felicitate you on Latvia's presidency of the Security Council for this month. I also wish to thank Director Goto and ASG Yahya for their briefings today. We are deeply concerned by the continued escalation in fighting and the resulting harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure. We are particularly alarmed by the rising toll of civilian casualties and attacks against energy facilities, transportation, and commercial vessels. Time and again, the staggering humanitarian consequences of this conflict, the effects on global food and energy security, and the impact of this on the developing countries beyond the regional confines of this conflict have been highlighted. Any further intensification of the conflict will further augment these negative consequences. All efforts must, therefore, be made to de-escalate the situation and protect human lives and livelihoods of all peoples caught in this unfortunate conflict. We call upon both parties to desist from further expanding the conflict, de-escalate, scrupulously abide by international law, and international humanitarian law obligations, and recommit to dialogue to bring an early end to this conflict. Madam President, we have all deplored the humanitarian fallout from this protracted conflict. The scenes witnessed recently in Oleshky, however, reinforce the fact that real, tangible, and meaningful progress can only be achieved through dialogue and cooperation. We commend both sides for coming together and working side by side to avert the potential humanitarian disaster that was unfolding in that region. We would like to particularly appreciate the dedication and personal commitment of the First Lady of the United States for taking the initiative, bringing the two parties together, and securing the limited ceasefire agreement to allow for the safe evacuation of stranded civilians. Madam President, the pursuit of military solutions only risks further escalation and prolonging, prolong the suffering of those affected by this conflict. We value the mediatory efforts by the US and its leadership to bring this conflict to an end. We take note of the reports of working level meetings between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi. We hope that the parties will earnestly engage in a meaningful dialogue with the aim to secure a comprehensive and durable peace in the region. An immediate and robust ceasefire can help the parties bridge their differences and move in the direction of a pacific settlement, which remains the only viable and responsible choice. Pakistan will continue to support all efforts that can help deliver an enduring and peaceful resolution of this conflict, while addressing the legitimate security concerns of all sides, in line with the principles of UN Charter and international law and relevant multilateral agreements. I thank you. Latvia · President of the Security Council [1:41:00]: I thank the representative of Pakistan for the statements, and I invite the representative of Colombia. Colombia [1:41:10]: Thank you, madam President, and I welcome you to the Security Council. Colombia thanks as well the briefers, and after hearing all the different reports, it seems We keep hearing over and over again, but increasingly in the last reports, how there is a common factor, which is attacks over civilian population on both sides, but mostly a dynamic that is concerning, as if international law didn't exist anymore. And that's truly, truly our first call here. Colombia expresses its concern regarding the persistence and intensification of hostilities, as well as recent attacks that have resulted in numerous casualties in urban centers, again, one of our major concerns, and caused severe damage to residential building, educational facilities, energy, rail, infrastructure, et cetera. We want to remind both parties and everyone in the room, the principles that upholds international law, and that has been actually recognized multiple times by the International Court of Justice. The protection of the civil population includes the protection of the services that are essential for their survival, and that includes naturally energy. Madam President, perhaps it's necessary to think about more practical approaches to ensure that the conflict does not continue to advance so tragically. And we are already standing at historic figures. The conflict has been going on for years. Beyond the positions of the parties, we believe that it is possible to find pathways to better protect the civilian population. In this context, we welcome the efforts of the U.S. First Lady to facilitate this understanding, this humanitarian understanding, as well as the cooperation of the parties. We welcome the resumption of the talks scheduled for the 10th and 11th of November in Abu Dhabi, which we hope will help pave the way towards a negotiated and peaceful settlement. In this regard, we thank the US, Russia, and Ukraine for their spirit, and we hope that they will advance in this sense. From the perspective of international law, through our legal tradition and our respect for international humanitarian law, we wish to remind the parties that there is an international criminal responsibility beyond the time of the conflict related to the principles that are being violated in this conflict. We are referring mainly here to the principle of distinction, which is contained in Article 48 of Additional Protocol I of 1977 to the Geneva Conventions of 1949. This establishes the obligation, the unobjectionable obligation, to not attack the civilian population and to distinguish between combatants and the civilian population. But in this case in particular, What is being systematically violated is paragraphs 2 and 4 of Article 51 of this same Additional Protocol, which establishes two exceptional prohibitions. These are direct attacks on civilians, but also indiscriminate attacks. In this regard, attacks on urban centers on any side of the lines represents a violation of international law. We wish to draw attention to this because it is causing the deaths of innocent people. This also entails the principle of military necessity. This was enshrined specifically in the St. Petersburg Declaration of 1868 and reflected very clearly in Articles 22 and 23 of the regulations annexed to the Fourth Hague Convention of 1907. This reminds us that the necessity for military, military necessity does not justify indiscriminate attacks, nor does it absolve parties of their obligations to protect the civilian population. For us, it is of particular concern that the delivery of humanitarian aid be respected, in this context, we call for respect for the principle of humanity, also reflected in customary law and international law in Article 35, paragraph 2, and 65, 1 of the Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions of 1949. which from the legal standpoint reminds us that any humanitarian assistance should seek to alleviate human suffering, but also from a legal standpoint it tells that we have various court judgments that say that we must refrain from any unnecessary humanitarian suffering and also attacks on civilian infrastructure which generates unnecessary suffering, and mainly attacks the civilian, affects the civilian population. Therefore, they represent a direct violation of the principle of humanity, the principle of military necessity, and the principle of distinction, all of which I have cited and are part of international humanitarian law, and represent the structural customary basis of this protection afforded to civilians. Finally, Colombia reaffirms its commitment to the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of States and reiterates its call for a ceasefire. and for respect for international humanitarian law, for the protection of the civilian population, and for humanitarian access to be enabled. Once again, we call for the return of foreign citizens that are also involved in this conflict. Thank you very much, Madam President. Latvia · President of the Security Council [1:48:12]: I thank the representative of Colombia for his statement, and I give the floor to the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Democratic Republic of the Congo [1:48:22]: Madam Minister for Foreign Affairs of Latvia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo applauds your presidency of the Security Council, and we wish you a very warm welcome to this Security Council meeting, which we are pleased to witness you preside over. We thank Madam Kayoko Goto, Director for Europe and Central Asia, Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, and Mr. Mohamed Yahya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, for their briefings. Madam President, the ongoing nature of hostilities and the deterioration of the humanitarian situation as a consequence of this conflict remains a source of grave concern for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The longer the war goes on, the more civilian populations continue to bear the gravest consequences, whereas prospects for a peaceful resolution appear to be increasingly remote. In light of this reality, my delegation reiterates our call for an end to this spiral of violence, for the benefits of dialogue and diplomacy to be harnessed. This call hinges on our commitment to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, specifically respect for the sovereignty, the political independence, and the territorial integrity of States. as well as to the peaceful resolution of disputes. In this spirit, we wish to emphasize the following three priorities. First priority: The protection of civilians and civilian property must remain a paramount priority. The DRC, which has endured the horrors of war for decades, is well aware of the fact that this precisely, this need to protect those who can no longer participate in battlefield operations, which gave rise to the system of the law of armed conflict. Therefore, we condemn all attacks targeting civilians and civilian goods and infrastructure, regardless of the origin. We wish to remind all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law, specifically the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution. Furthermore, we underscore the fact that the evolution of military-related means and technologies, specifically the use of drones or other missiles, under no circumstances should prompt us to lose sight of the fact that even armed conflict must take place within the framework of certain rules, in the absence of which any war sinks into utter despair. The safeguarding of critical civilian infrastructure carries particular significance, specifically for those who are most vulnerable. Furthermore, we call for guarantees for rapid, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access to people in need, as well as for protection for humanitarian and medical personnel. Second priority: it is vital that we prevent the risks of consequences spiraling out beyond the immediate theater of hostilities. And in this regard, The safety and security of nuclear facilities remains a major concern. The DRC reaffirms our support for the efforts of the IAEA, and we encourage full cooperation of the parties with said agency in order to prevent any incident that may generate grave and lasting consequences. The disruptions to commercial navigations and trade in the Black Sea also require sustained vigilance in light of the repercussions of these incidents on deliveries, on energy markets, and on food security, particularly in developing states. Commercial trade and navigation in the Black Sea continue to face a major crisis, punctuated by the intensifying nature of drone strikes targeting civilian vessels and port infrastructure. Statistics point to more than 570 commercial ships struck in the Black Sea and the Azov Sea since the start of the year, with a total of at least 40 seafarers who perished, according to the IMO. In this regard, we encourage any concerted measures that can help to safeguard safety and security of maritime navigation, continuity of commercial trade in accordance with international law, specifically in accordance with the relevant provisions of the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea. Third, The path of dialogue and diplomacy need to be embraced in order to arrive at a lasting cessation of hostilities and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The DRC will continue to hammer home the fact that a military solution can never guarantee a lasting peace. The prolonged nature of this confrontation is resulting in growing and heightened human suffering, further compromising the necessary conditions for trust to be rebuilt between the parties. Therefore, we reiterate our call for an immediate, meaningful, verifiable ceasefire, as well as the resumption of constructive dialogue amongst the parties in a spirit of good faith and accountability. Prisoner exchanges, humanitarian arrangements, and any other measure that can help to reduce the suffering endured by people are measures which should be cultivated and built upon. Beyond their humanitarian dimension, such initiatives can contribute to safeguarding spaces of trust which are critical for de-escalation to be achieved. In that vein, the DRC encourages pursuit of diplomatic contacts which have been initiated at various levels, and we hope that this can contribute to bringing the parties closer towards a way out of this crisis. As significant as their disagreements may be, they cannot justify the abandonment of dialogue. Dialogue must continue to be engaged in, in the pursuit of a peaceful and lasting settlement. The DRC therefore supports any credible diplomatic initiative that can set the stage for a negotiated, lasting settlement which is in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Madam President, peace cannot remain merely aspirational when the consequences of war continue to reverberate in the lives of so many people, seeking peace requires that there be political, continuous political will for diplomatic efforts to be commensurate with the level of human suffering. And it is our duty to contribute to easing that suffering. Therefore, to conclude, it is incumbent upon the Security Council to contribute meaningfully to this effort by harnessing the instrument of diplomacy by supporting humanitarian action and by encouraging the parties to resolutely engage in a negotiated political settlement. Lastly, above and beyond political considerations, people who have been affected expect concrete results from our efforts to be protected, to receive the necessary assistance, and to restore peace. Thank you. Latvia · President of the Security Council [1:57:02]: I thank the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and I give the floor to the representative of Bahrain. Bahrain [1:57:11]: Madam President, first and foremost, I wish to take this opportunity to thank Madame Kayoko Goto, Director for Europe and Central Asia, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, as well as Mr. Mohamed Yaya, Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator. I also wish to welcome Her Excellency Madam Baiba Braze, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Latvia, and other participants here present. Madam President, this war has taken on a dangerous dimension with the persistence of the military escalation and the escalation of attacks, including the targeting of vessels, as well as maritime facilities, as well as humanitarian storage sites. We urge that – we stress that there have been missiles and drones being used with increasing frequency. Attacks have been targeting residential areas, civilian – vital civilian infrastructure, specifically energy, infrastructure, and ports. This is a situation which is of grave concern to us in light of the risks it creates for civilians and the safety of maritime navigation, as well as the consequences of the situation, which reverberate far beyond the borders of the conflict, threatening safety and security of energy and food supplies and global food supply and trade change. The Kingdom of Bahrain recalls the need for restraint to be exercised, for tensions to be reduced, and for parties to refrain from targeting civilians and civilian goods and infrastructure for international law to be complied with, including international humanitarian law. There is also a need to step up diplomatic efforts to end hostilities, as well as to establish favorable conditions to arrive at a peaceful, lasting settlement to this conflict. In this regard, we welcome the diplomatic initiatives that have been announced by the United States of America. to bring about an end to attacks targeting energy infrastructure. We cherish the hope that parties will comply with these provisions. We also welcome the efforts undertaken by the First Lady, Melania Trump, with participation of the Pope, Leo XIV, to arrive at a humanitarian truce in Oleshky. And we also hope that these efforts will constitute a step towards broadening the process of de-escalation, which appears to be within sight, in order to arrive at de-escalation as well as a lasting ceasefire. We furthermore welcome efforts for continuation of direct talks between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Ukraine in Abu Dhabi from 11th, starting 11th of November. This is an important step to build upon dialogue, to bring about common ground in order to create conducive conditions for a peaceful and lasting settlement to end this war and to achieve peace and stability on the European continent. The Kingdom of Bahrain. welcomes once again the mediation efforts, which have been successful, efforts undertaken by the UAE, the sisterly nation between the two states, which resulted in a new exchange of prisoners with 540 detainees on both sides, as well as the number of persons released has reached 8,537 detainees. through 27 mediation processes, and this has been the case – this has been initiated since the very start of the crisis. We support all regional and international initiatives to end the war through dialogue and through peaceful means, as well as to mitigate the consequences of this situation for civilians. Madam President, our Kingdom is very much concerned by the targeting of oil tankers, commercial oil carriers in the Black Sea. This constitutes a threat to safety and security of maritime navigation. This situation carries nefarious consequences for international trade and for supply chains, international supply chains, specifically food and energy supplies. It is of paramount importance that freedom of navigation be upheld for there to be safety and security for international maritime routes, for there to be protection for commercial ships as well as for port infrastructure, and for them to be safeguarded from the fallout of the conflict in accordance with international law. we cherish the hope that an agreement will be arrived at in order to relaunch the Black Sea Grain Initiative, insofar as this is an important initiative for continuity in all grain and food exports for the global market and to guarantee food security, and to address the shortcomings and to address the rising food prices, specifically the developing states who are most at affected by this unfortunate situation. The Kingdom of Bahrain, Madam President, supports any measures to open up the path to a just, lasting, comprehensive peace in accordance with international law, with the Charter of the United Nations, as well as with relevant resolutions to safeguard stability on the European continent. Thank you, Madam President. Latvia · President of the Security Council [2:03:24]: I thank the representative of Bahrain for the statement, and I give the floor to the representative of Liberia. Liberia [2:03:32]: Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. Liberia joins in welcoming Your Excellency, the distinguished Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, and thanks the ASG Yahya and Director Guto for their briefings. Excellencies, For families in Ukraine, the approach of winter brings a question no family should have to ask: Will there be enough electricity, water, and heat to survive the winter? As the full-scale war approaches its fifth anniversary, civilians continue to be killed and injured, families uprooted, and essential services disrupted. Repeated attacks on energy infrastructure deepen the suffering and place the most vulnerable at greater risk. Liberia knows how long the consequences of war endure. More than two decades after our own conflict ended, its scars remain. That experience compels us to defend civilian life and to insist that diplomacy be pursued with the urgency that the ongoing human suffering demands. We reaffirm our commitment to the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. We call for an immediate ceasefire leading to a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace consistent with the United Nations Charter and international law. Madam President, international humanitarian law must be respected by all parties. We condemn attacks directed against civilians and civilian objects, hospitals, schools, and infrastructure indispensable to civilian and survival must be protected. Humanitarian personnel must be able to work safely with rapid and unimpeded access to those in need. The ICRC must be granted access to prisoners of war in accordance with the Geneva Conventions. All persons deprived of their liberty must be treated humanely. Children separated from their families must be safely reunited, with their best interests guiding every decision. The recent localized humanitarian pause in Oleshky offers a practical lesson. Even amid this war, agreement to protect human life is possible. Civilians were able to leave. The United Nations agencies provided assistance to evacuees. Liberia welcomes the facilitation by the First Lady of the United States and the cooperation between Russian and Ukrainian representatives that made this humanitarian operation possible. We also welcome her efforts to help reunite children with their families. The task now is to make such cooperation sustained and repeatable. Further arrangements should enable safe and voluntary evacuations assistance for civilians who remain, expanded humanitarian access on both sides of the front line, and additional exchanges of prisoners of war and releases of unlawfully detained civilians. Humanitarian obligations apply every day, including when no ceasefire is in place. A localized pause certainly cannot substitute for a political settlement. It can, however, preserve channels of communication and demonstrate that agreements can be implemented. Liberia encourages the parties and those facilitating their contacts to use these channels to pursue further humanitarian arrangements and sustained negotiations toward ending the war. Women must participate fully, equally, and meaningfully in those efforts, alongside meaningful opportunities for young people to contribute. Liberia's experience teaches us that those who help communities survive war have much to contribute to the peace that follows. Madam President, this Council has recently reaffirmed the duty of States to settle international disputes through peaceful means. That commitment must find expression in sustained diplomatic action on Ukraine. The people of Ukraine and civilians in the Russian Federation affected by the war deserve a future beyond repeated loss and uncertainty. Every family reunited and every civilian brought to safety matters. Let those achievements give renewed urgency to the work of ending this war. Civilians cannot be asked to endure indefinitely while diplomacy waits. I thank you for your kind attention. Latvia · President of the Security Council [2:10:57]: I thank the representative of Liberia for the statement, and I give the floor to the representative of the United States. United States of America [2:11:08]: Thank you, Madam President, and thank you, Director Goto and Assistant Secretary General Ayaya, for your briefings. Colleagues, over the past several weeks, First Lady Melania Trump facilitated humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky and the surrounding Kherson region. Thanks to the First Lady's leadership, nearly 800 civilians in Oleshky were safely evacuated. While those civilians flowed out, life-saving assistance from US-funded humanitarian organizations, including the World Food Program, flowed in, meeting the humanitarian needs of evacuees at border points and medical facilities alike. We note with sincere appreciation that Russia and Ukraine fully respected the five-day ceasefire period, thus enabling humanitarian access and evacuation. Success depended on the cooperation of both parties, and we hope the cooperation in Oleshky can serve as a model for protecting civilians in imminent danger of harm from hostilities. As the First Lady said, Oleshky proves we can raise humanity above war. But both sides must resist slipping back into a vicious cycle of attacks, retaliation, and death. We extend our condolences to the many families who lost loved ones in the recent strikes of the village of Komysuvka and the humanitarian distribution site in Zaporizhzhia and the Kharkiv hospital. Civilians caught in the crossfire of this war continue to pay the ultimate price. We can and must do more to protect civilians. Strikes on populated areas must end. We call on both sides to end strikes against grain transport ships, food supply chains, energy infrastructure, and humanitarian distribution sites. We look forward to trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi later this week. where we will build upon progress achieved in Kyiv and St. Petersburg towards a comprehensive, durable peace agreement. The United States remains committed to playing a constructive role to stop the needless violence and end this war. We expect no less of Russia and Ukraine. Thank you. Latvia · President of the Security Council [2:14:17]: I thank the representative of the United States. And the representative of France has asked for the floor to make a further statement. France [2:14:28]: Thank you, Madam President. I beg colleagues to please excuse me taking the floor again, but the Russian delegation wasn't able to prevent itself from commenting on France's internal situation, which we usually refrain from around this table. My delegation, in any case, does refrain from doing that. Two comments. Firstly, the social movements currently in France have nothing to do with the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. The French people is hugely attached to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the freedom of Ukraine. The French people sees the invasion of Ukraine as a threat to European security. And the French people has learned from history that peace that is not founded on respect for law and respect for territorial integrity of sovereign countries is not a valid peace. It aspires to peace and it wants that peace to be just. Thank you. Latvia · President of the Security Council [2:15:41]: I thank the representative of France for the statement. And I now intend to move to give the floor to the representatives of rule 37. So I give the floor to the representative of Ukraine. Ukraine · Permanent Representative [2:16:02]: Madam President, I wish to thank the Latvian Presidency for convening this meeting and Minister Baiba Braže for chairing it. This is Latvia's first Presidency of the Security Council in history, Ukraine wishes you every success in this challenging mission. I am also grateful to Denmark, Greece, France, and the United Kingdom for supporting Ukraine’s request. I thank Assistant Secretary-General Mohamed Yahya and Director Kayoko Goto for their sobering briefings, which once again lay bare the sheer brutality of Russia’s war crimes against the civilian population in Ukraine. I must, however, urge once again our colleagues from the UN Secretariat not to blindly repeat Russian figures of alleged civilian casualties that cannot be verified independently by the UN. So please stop invoking a wrong impression. as if Ukraine is targeting civilians, stop putting on an equal footing. Russia's genocidal, deliberate, and systematic attacks against Ukraine, against our civilian population, and the legitimate strike of Ukraine against military targets in Russia exercise our inherent right of self-defense. We strictly adhere to the international humanitarian law. So please stop doing this. It's wrong. To be honest, Ukrainians were quite shocked, if not to say outraged, when we just learned that the Secretary General has recently appointed a high-level Russian official as Assistant Secretary General for mine action and police, mine action. It must be a joke. Russia is responsible for turning Ukraine into the most contaminated country in the world by mines, and now this, letting the fox guard the henhouse. So instead of sitting here and pushing the council to adopt resolutions necessary to stop this war, UN is absent in its driver's seat of any mediation. It's not even in the car. It's not even in the trunk of this car. Madam President, Russia cynically claims, as we just heard, that it supported convening this meeting, but it didn't do so to express remorse for its abhorrent war crimes and the latest record, tragic record, of civilian casualties in Ukraine, officially documented, officially documented by the UN in October. Nor was Moscow motivated by any desire to offer a realistic pathway towards ending its barbaric war. Russia's sole purpose was to divert, to divert this Council's attention from its own vicious and deliberate campaign to systematically destroy Ukraine's energy infrastructure, and from the atrocities unparalleled in modern history that it continues to perpetrate as we sit here against the civilian population in Ukraine. And before I proceed with my statement, I cannot leave unanswered this new torrent of fabrications and falsehoods that we just heard from the Russian representative. I must confess, Mr. Nebenzia, who is not here, even though he has promised that he is listening to Ukraine, that I was almost moved now to tears by his extraordinary display of compassion for Ukrainian servicemen. He seemed so deeply troubled, so genuinely distressed by their alleged plight, that I began to wonder whether he perhaps had mistaken his calling. So I would like to offer a piece of advice. Given his apparently boundless concern for the rights and welfare of Ukrainian soldiers, why not apply for the position of the military ombudsman in Ukraine? There is, however, one small obstacle. This position is already occupied. Ukraine, for Ukraine, the protection of the rights of our soldiers and their families is a matter of the highest priority, and not just for the government, but also for the civil society. And that is precisely why any allegations of possible violations of their rights understandingly provoke a public reaction in Ukraine. So since there is no vacancy for Mr. Nebenzia in Ukraine, I might suggest that he should direct his remarkable zeal and compassion and a newly discovered humanitarian enthusiasm toward his own compatriots in Russia. And I can assure Mr. Nebenzia that there are far greater in need of his attention. More than 40 More than 54,000 Russian servicemen were killed or wounded on Ukrainian soil in October alone. 54,000. And perhaps he could begin by visiting the families of those 54,000 soldiers who laid down their lives or were wounded, sacrificing on the altar of your president's insane imperial ambition. In other words, Last month alone, the Russian army was bleeding manpower at a rate of one soldier every 48 seconds. So by the time we adjourn, by the time we adjourn, another 180-plus Russian soldiers will be dead or injured. So since Mr. Nebenzya is now sitting comfortably here in New York, perhaps he could at least send a postcard to the mothers or widows and offer them a few words of consolation. and explain to them why their sons and husbands had to die for absolutely nothing. And if visiting these families is not quite his taste, there is another possibility. Why not establish an NGO dedicated to defending the rights of Russian servicemen and their families? Mr. Nebenzia would certainly have no shortage of work. Hundreds of videos documenting torture, brutal abuse, and humiliation of Russian soldiers circulate in the internet. In many instances, the commanders themselves or comrades record and publish these horrifying accounts. And the families, meanwhile, are left powerless with no effective means of protecting their loved ones. So Mr. Nebenzig would finally put his newly discovered humanitarian ardor to some genuinely useful purpose. And as for these theatrical allegations about the so-called torture, torture chambers in Ukraine, this new grotesque scarecrow that Russia is attempting to conjure up before this council again and again, may I suggest that you first acquaint yourself with the findings of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, her report published just two weeks ago. paints a rather different, a very grim picture of the country whose representatives seem so preoccupied with fabricated violations elsewhere. Allow me to quote just one finding from that report: "Torture and ill-treatment in Russian places of detention have become an ordinary, almost everyday occurrence." So, Mr. Nebenzia, before Russia lectures the rest of the world on human rights, Perhaps you might first take a good look in the mirror. Madam President, I would strongly encourage every member, every member of this Council to read this newest report of UN Special Rapporteur, Mariana Kotsarova, which was transmitted by the SG to the General Assembly just 10 days ago, in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 60/21. It is a mere 22 pages, yet virtually every line, every line is enough to make one's blood run cold and fill one with profound horror and disgust. Let me quote from that summary of this shocking report. "Torture and ill-treatment remain widespread, systematic, and part of a government strategy of repression at home and aggression abroad with persistent impunity." Let me further, Madam President, quote from para 68 of this report: "Torture, including rape and sexual violence, against Ukrainian detainees is pervasive. Courts routinely admit confessions obtained through torture and fail to order investigations. The diary of Oleksandr Savov, a Ukrainian prisoner of war from the Mykolaiv region, documents torture, including electric shocks, beatings, the setting of dogs on detainees, forced nudity, sexualized humiliation, the denial of medical care, and the concealment of abuse before the official outside inspections." Let me also, Madam President, quote from paragraph 70 that cited Russian Major General Roman Demurchiev, And his correspondence with the soldiers and family members, where he discussed the torture and killing of Ukrainian prisoners of war, shared photographs of severed ears, and joked about collecting them as a garland. Members of the Councils, I want you to etch, I want you to etch this image into your memory. A Russian general collecting the cut-off ears of Ukrainian prisoners of war to make a garland out of them. According to Special Rapporteur, General De Murcheev reported that three captured Ukrainian servicemen had been beaten to death with entrenching shovels by Russian soldiers who were former prisoner inmates, after which their commander suggested nominating them for military awards. End quote. Madam President, this very Special Rapporteur recommends all of you, each member of the Council, And I quote again, "Pursue accountability for the crime of aggression and for international crimes against Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war, including conflict-related sexual violence." End quote. So I would like to call every country represented in this Council, and indeed every Member State of the UN, to fulfill their obligations under Article 129, 130 of the Third Geneva Convention and Articles 146 and 47 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. States must exercise universal jurisdiction, actively search for Russian perpetrators of grave breaches committed against Ukrainian prisoners of war and against Ukrainian civilians, investigate these crimes, and where the evidence so warrants, prosecute those responsible before their national courts. The UN Special Rapporteur also directly urges UN Member States and everyone sitting in this chamber, and I quote again, to continue use diplomatic pressure, including targeted sanctions, in response to human rights violations by Russian officials. Madam President, before I finally turn to my statement, Let me suggest that Mr. Nebenzia would be well advised to spare this Council of any further theatrical performances, exploiting a staged provocation in Petropavlivska Borshchivka that he mentioned, bearing the fingerprints of the Russian intelligence services, while accusing Ukraine of torture chambers. Mr. Nebenzia would do well to read this chilling and horrifying report of the UN Special Rapporteur before going to bed. a report that lays bare a far more disturbing reality. Torture in Russia has become so systematic, so widespread, so institutionalized that it is the very quintessence, it is the very quintessence of this Russian state and of its barbarism. So it is this disturbing reality, this reality, and the urgent need to put an end to it that should command the attention of this distinguished council and forced its Member State to act. Now, Madam President, let me remind the Security Council why Ukraine requested this meeting in the first place. On October 29, people were standing on a platform in Dnipro railway station. They were waiting for a train. Some were going to work, others to visit their families. And then a Russian jet-powered drone, like a bolt of lightning from the sky, came crashing down upon these peaceful civilians. Fifteen of them never boarded this train, and their lifeless bodies were left scattered across the platform. That very same day, two 15-year-old girls walking down a busy street in the center of Chernihiv were killed by a Russian missile. The horrifying footage of a father collapsing in his knees and screaming in unbearable anguish over the loss of his daughter has gone viral around the world, and it is impossible to watch without tears. Three more Ukrainian civilians were cold-bloodedly killed by a Russian drone in their homes in the city of Kremenchuk. So on one single day, Russia slaughtered 20 Ukrainians and left many dozens more wounded. So that is precisely what compelled me to request this meeting of the Council. And even though Ukrainians and I realize that these shocking killings and unfolding before your eyes seem to elicit hardly any real reaction in this chamber. I still remain convinced that each member of this Council, each member of this Council, must hear these horrifying facts every month, because normally they should shed a shudder of horror, they should make one's hair stand on end. And I must look everyone, every one of you, straight into your eyes. And remind you, remind each of you, that you bear a personal responsibility to history and to your conscience for this Council's failure to act and to stop the Russian blood, bloodbath. Madam President, 20 civilians murdered on one day, and yet in the meantime, in the last week that has passed, And this Council has taken to convene with all due respect to the wonderful retreat on Long Island. Russia has managed to surpass even these atrocities in the sheer scale of its barbarity. Let me draw your attention to one village. We already heard this name, Komashivka in the Zaporizhzhia region. On November the 2nd, people gathered at a local school to collect humanitarian aid, and Russian aircraft deliberately bombed this building. And those who survived the first strikes, they rushed to the shelter, both police officers and rescuers. But even seven meters underground offered no protection from Russian bestiality. Because this aircraft returned and three-ton glide bombs came crashing down directly on the shelter, burying alive those who have sought refuge there, at least 55, now 55. Not 53, 55 innocent lives were lost. The search for victims continues. 45 bodies are still missing. Madam President, this atrocity is hauntingly reminiscent of the massacre in the Mariupol drama theater, where hundreds of civilians, mostly women and children, had sought refuge only to be buried beneath the rubble by a Russian airstrike in the beginning of the full-scale invasion on March 16, 2022. The word "children" had been painted in huge letters on the roof of that building, clearly visible from the air, but Russian henchmen did not give a damn and killed them all. So this Mariupol theater and the school of Kamashovaka will forever stand as grim symbols of Russia's gravest war crimes and crimes against humanity. And both will become part of the evidentiary record in the prosecution of every individual, every individual, who planned, who ordered or carried out these attacks, including those diplomats who shamelessly whitewash these crimes here at the UN. Madam President, I would not wish to take up any more of this Council’s valuable time by recounting one by one all the appalling consequences of Russia’s attacks over the past week. The list alone would consume half of the time allotted to this meeting. I will therefore transmit later today an official letter to the President of the Council and the Secretary-General accompanied by a comprehensive account and photographic evidence of mass killings and destruction. As last winter, the deliberate objective of these thousands of missiles and drones is to completely destroy Ukraine's energy and water supply infrastructure, and to freeze millions of people to death. And according to the latest report of the independent International Commission on Inquiry of Ukraine, which was released just a few days ago, Russia's systematic attacks on Ukraine infrastructure, depriving millions of civilians of electricity, heating, and access to water, constitute not only war crimes, but also crimes against humanity. And let me stress once again, unlike all the figures that Mr. Nebenzia has so casually thrown around in his chamber today, you heard about 30,000 civilian casualties in Russia, These figures, seemingly plucked out of thin air, what I am referring to are meticulously, meticulously documented facts and independently verified by the UN. Madam President, now let me state once again a truth that no amount of Russia's smoke and mirrors can obscure. For the second month in a row, Russian forces lost ground on the battlefield in October. According to the Independent Institute of the Study of War, Russian forces captured just 139 square kilometers of Ukrainian soil, while losing at the same time control of 167 square kilometers. So the result, a net territorial loss of 28 square kilometers for Russia that keeps advancing, but rather backwards. Russian casualty rates and territorial losses match the battlefield reality that Russian forces have lost the strategic initiative and their offensive capabilities. Putin’s army has reached a dead end in Ukraine. His dream of further conquests remains just an illusion. And this, Madam President, and this, Madam President, is precisely why Putin is now channeling all his efforts into three things: first, escalating this merciless slaughter of Ukraine’s civilian population; second, at the same time, simultaneously intensifying sabotage operations and psychological warfare, sowing the seeds of discord within Ukrainian society, undermining trust, and driving a wedge between Ukraine and our European allies. And third, Putin plays cynically the diplomatic card, not to bring this war to an end, no, but just to buy time, to keep the diplomatic process going while Moscow continues its destruction of Ukraine's infrastructure, and maybe to agree to end a ceasefire only when it has inflicted a total damage. And this, in essence, is Putin's vicious game. With a poker face, he continues to bluff, hoping to convince both U.S. mediators and international community alike that Russia is allegedly invincible. It is not. Madam President, I would shortly like to address the situation and the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Oleshky. We are relieved that Ukraine's repeated appeals, including those made at the previous meeting of this Council, were finally heard. As a result, about 800 Ukrainians, for many months held hostage by the Russian machinery of death, were successfully rescued. Many of you have probably seen the deeply moving footage of residents of Oleshki arriving on Ukraine-Belarus border, tears streaming down their faces. They had escaped the Russian hell, yet their tears were also tears of sorrow, for they had been forced to leave behind their homes. And while we are grateful, we are really grateful, to all those who made this humanitarian mission and the temporary ceasefire in Oleshki possible, and above all, of course, to the First Lady, of the United States, Mrs. Melania Trump, we cannot turn a blind eye to the cynical game that Russia continues to play. Having itself created this trap for the Ukrainian people in the occupied territories, particularly in the Kherson region, Moscow now seeks to masquerade as a benevolent humanitarian, presenting what was no more than a belated gesture of necessity as an act of its own goodwill. So let's not forget who created this humanitarian tragedy in the first place. It was Russia, and it remains Russia. I would not wish to be the fly in the ointment that there is hope in Ukraine. There is hope in Ukraine, a real hope now, that the miracle of Oleshky will mark, shall mark, the beginning of an extension of the ceasefire, not merely a localized one, but one that would be introduced along the entire, entire frontline. Yet even in Oleshky, we have seen that over the course of these days, while the guns were silent, that Russia has rotated its troops, has deployed reinforcements, and moved additional military equipment into this area. So lest anyone should entertain the illusion that the nightmare of Oleshky is over, the very day after this local ceasefire came to an end, Russia killed with a drone a former school principal of the town. So the humanitarian disaster for Ukrainians in the Russian trap has not ended, has not ended yet. It has merely been interrupted. And it is appalling that now Russia seeks to capitalize on Oleshky, while at the same time rejecting, and we just heard again during the speech of Mr. Ribbenzja, rejecting any extension of similar ceasefires to other equally volatile sections of the front line, which stretches for more than 1,300 kilometers. And there is one overriding lesson to be drawn from all this, one lesson: Only sustained international pressure brought to bear on Russia from all sides does ultimately produce results. It does force the Kremlin to make concessions, and that is precisely why we must not merely double our efforts; the Security Council must multiply this pressure. on Moscow a hundredfold. All of us, and above all the Security Council, must do everything in our power to compel Russia to come to the negotiation table and stop playing games, using diplomacy just as a fig leaf and an instrument of warfare. Madam President, of course, Oleshki would offer a first modest example of restoring mutual trust, a confidence-building measure that could pave the way, could pave the way for a genuine peace process. Despite Russia's cynical ploys, Ukraine still remain fully committed to the pursuit of peace. We shall see what emerges from the trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi tomorrow and on Wednesday. But one thing is clear: without a summit at the highest level, a breakthrough, a political breakthrough, is hardly within reach. That is why Ukraine's President stands ready to meet Putin at the earliest occasion, be it in Florida, in December, on the sidelines of G20, or in any other place in the world, if need be, even in Antarctica, anywhere, but not in Moscow. The problem is that Putin still clings to his delusion that he can break Ukraine's will and force Ukrainians to surrender. So let me repeat our message in this chamber, in Russian: You can wait until the hell freezes over. Madam President, before I wrap up, I wish to convey three messages to the members of this Council. First, although I realize I may be repeating myself, perhaps for the hundredth time in this chamber, I urge, I do urge members of this Council to table and adopt a resolution obliging to conclude an immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreement. Second, I urge not just our European allies, but all member states to transfer to Ukraine without delay all available air defense systems, especially, especially Patriot interceptors, so that we can shield Ukrainian skies from Russia's apocalyptic rain of missiles. To keep these life-saving systems quietly tucked away in warehouses while before the eyes of the world, Russia keeps murdering dozens of civilians every single day, and turns Ukraine into scorched earth. That is hardly a Christian thing to do. And third, I call upon all Member States, without exception, to implement the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur and exercise universal jurisdiction by initiating criminal investigations and prosecutions for grave breaches of international humanitarian law and other war crimes, particularly the systematic acts of torture, perpetrated by Russian officials. There must be no impunity. And before I conclude, I wish to address Mr. Nebenzia personally, even though he is not here. Last Friday, at the General Assembly’s meeting devoted to the report of the ICJ, his DPR openly threatened to take me to court over alleged crimes – “crimes” – against the Russian-speaking population, which is one of the most brazen lies ever concocted by Russian propaganda. So first, let me be clear: personal threats of this nature shall be unacceptable. That is the UN and not the gangster state, a real-life model into which you have turned Russia, where people can be intimidated and abducted with impunity. And second, and second, Madam President, let me remind Mr. Nebenzya that modern history offers numerous examples of diplomats who were brought to justice for their involvement in wars of aggression, crimes against humanity, and the gravest war crimes. 1946 at Nuremberg, the very tribunal whose legacy your delegation so frequently invokes, Joachim von Ribbentrop, Nazi Germany foreign minister, was sentenced to death. Konstantin von Neurath, another foreign minister, received 15 years imprisonment. In the subsequent Ministries Trial, 1948, Five senior Foreign Office diplomats of the Third Reich were convicted for crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. State Secretary Ernst von Weizsäcker and his successor Gustav Steingracht, both sentenced to seven years. Wilhelm Keppler, state secretary, sentenced to 10 years. Ernst Voerman, head of the MFA political division, sentenced to seven years, and Edmund Fäsenmeier, Nazi Germany envoy to Hungary, sentenced to 20 years. And at Tokyo Tribunal in 1948, Koki Hiroto, a career diplomat who had served as foreign minister, was sentenced to death. Mamoru Sigemitsu, another top diplomat, received seven years imprisonment. And among all those convicted was also Toshiro Serratori, a Japanese career diplomat who had headed the Foreign Ministry Information Bureau. He justified Japan's seizure of Manchuria to the world press, and for that, and exactly for that, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the criminal acts and his participation in the conspiracy to wage aggressive wars. Last example, Rwanda, Jean Bosco Barayagwiza, director of political affairs at the MFA, was convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda of genocide and crimes against humanity, his sentence was ultimately set at 32 years. So I strongly advise Mr. Nebenzia to reflect on these precedents when considering your own role in the shameless justification of Russia's aggression here, in this very Chamber, and the most appalling atrocities committed against civilians on the European soil since 1945. Madam President, And so, in conclusion, I would like to uphold a good tradition and to address the Russian representative in his native language with a famous quote of the classics of Soviet cinema. If you, Mr. Nebenzia, still think, like the characters in the legendary comedy "Gentleman of Fortune" that, and I quote, let me translate this iconic line, "Who would dare to put him behind bar?" He's a monument. So then let me offer you the answer from another Soviet, called film noir. Your home is a prison, and dinner is being served in prison right now. Macaroni. And once in The Hague, I suspect, they will probably be serving Dutch herring as well, but hopefully no pelmeni. I thank you, Madam President. Latvia · President of the Security Council [2:48:03]: I thank the representative of Ukraine for his statement, and I now give the floor to the representative of Lithuania. Lithuania · Baltic States [2:48:12]: Thank you, Madam President. At the outset, I would like to extend my congratulations to Latvia on assuming the presidency of the Security Council. I will speak on behalf of the Baltic States, and we also align with the statement to be delivered by the European Union. Regrettably, once again, we must start by condemning the latest Russia’s attacks against civilians. Every day, we hear about ongoing strikes against civilians by Russia’s military. Entire families perish while resting in the park, at home, or in the playground. Yet, Russia shows no remorse nor willingness to stop its war. Instead, Russia expands its strategy of targeting vulnerable civilian infrastructure. In its recent report, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine concluded that the Russian authorities have committed war crimes of intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects, as well as crimes against humanity. The commission also found that Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure were part of a state policy to deprive civilians of essential services and cause sufferings. Yet, Russia is only escalating its aggression, including attacks on the merchant shipping in the Black Sea, which undermines European and global security, disrupts critical supply chains, leading the world towards major crisis. As Russia escalates its aggression, it seeks to shift responsibility through disinformation. The Baltic States reject Russia’s attempts to distort facts and evade responsibility for its war. As a holder of a permanent member seat of the Security Council, Russia has a particular responsibility to uphold the UN Charter and its fundamental principles, yet it brazenly disregards them. President, the Baltic States call for the full accountability of Russia for its act of aggression. We need to swiftly operationize the Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and other accountability mechanisms. The Baltic States reiterate the Secretary General's decision to prohibit all countries repeatedly listed in the annexes of his reports on children and armed conflicts and conflict-related sexual violence from participating in United Nations peacekeeping operations. A military repeatedly listed for grave violations against children and conflict-related sexual violence cannot credibly be entrusted with the protection of civilians under the UN flag. Furthermore, the UN Security Council, as the primary body responsible for ensuring international peace and security, should demand that Russia agree to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and subsequently engage constructively in peace negotiations. Russia must be collectively forced to peace. Also, efforts must continue to achieve the return of all prisoners of war, the release of all unlawfully detained, and the safe return of civilians who have been forcibly transferred or deported. particularly children. The Baltic States welcome the ceasefire negotiated by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump in occupied Oleshky, which allowed for essential humanitarian access and evacuation. Such humanitarian arrangements should encourage further efforts to provide assistance and help more civilians evacuate safely. In light of this, Russia should commit to further negotiations instead of resuming its attacks on Kherson region. President, we call on the international community to provide all necessary political, military, financial, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. It is essential as Russia intensifies attacks on critical energy infrastructure ahead of the winter months. We reiterate our strong commitment to just and lasting peace in Ukraine. to its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within the internationally recognized borders. I thank you. Latvia · President of the Security Council [2:52:52]: I thank the representative of Lithuania, and I now give the floor to the representative of Poland. Poland [2:53:00]: Madam President, I thank Latvia for convening today's meeting in response to Russia's latest strikes against Ukraine, and especially for your personal presence, Madam Minister. The situation remains grim. Instead of choosing peace, Moscow continues to send wave after wave of soldiers to the front lines while suffering staggering losses. Unable to break the resistance of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Russia is escalating its barbaric war of attrition. We have heard today harrowing accounts of how Russia increasingly directs its attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure to terrorize the population, undermine Ukraine's economy and institutions. Poland strongly condemns these actions. Let me stress, these attacks are not only deeply deplorable, they are illegal, and those responsible must be held accountable. Russia is not only inflicting harm on the Ukrainian population, it is also continuing to disrupt vital Black Sea trade routes used to export grain to vulnerable populations in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Madam President, as Ukraine faces the prospect of an exceptionally difficult winter, Poland continues to provide practical support to strengthen its energy security and resilience. We are contributing to efforts to maintain energy supplies, facilitate emergency assistance, and ensure access to essential equipment. This support is complemented by the active engagement and remarkable solidarity of our citizens, including through the Warmth from Poland to Kyiv fundraising campaign. These efforts reflect a simple conviction: we must help Ukraine remain strong, resilient, and capable of defending its people. Madam President, while supporting Ukraine, we must also pursue de-escalation and work towards a just and lasting peace. The local ceasefire arrangement in the town of Oleski demonstrates that practical arrangements and agreements are possible, and we can help alleviate the suffering of civilians affected by this war. Poland welcomes the genuine diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the hostilities. But let us remember, when calling for peace, we must not allow ourselves to be misled by attempts to invoke so-called root causes or legitimate security concerns as a justification for Russia's aggression. There are no other root causes of this war than Russian imperialism. Russia made a deliberate political choice to launch a neo-imperial war against its neighbor. However terrible that decision was, it was, in its very core, a simple expression of imperial ambition, nothing more and nothing less. There are no legitimate security concerns that can justify invading another country, occupying its territory, destroying its citizens, or killing its civilians. Such arguments are nothing more than attempts to disguise responsibility for aggression and deflect attention from the crimes committed. Russia wants to establish new spheres of influence, which is unacceptable. It is neither a contributor to European security nor a credible and predictable partner. Quite the opposite. Russia is actively undermining European security through its persistent hybrid warfare. Let me repeat, let us not be misled. Russia must not be allowed to turn its aggression into gains, to have its imperialism legitimized. or to be granted a say in deciding the fate of other sovereign states. The crime of aggression must bring no rewards. Any peace agreement must preserve Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, respect its right to choose its own future, and ensure that the security of Ukraine and Europe is not undermined. Each country must retain the authority to determine its own security arrangements and alliances. No country should have a veto over another's sovereign choices. Thank you. Latvia · President of the Security Council [2:56:59]: I thank the representative of Poland, and I now give the floor to the representative of Romania. Romania · Permanent Representative [2:57:04]: Thank. You very much, Madam President. Romania aligns with the EU statement. First and foremost, I want to thank Latvia for convening this meeting, but not only for that, for your leadership that you provide for this body during this important time. Madam President, there is no justification for the appalling drone strike on the Dnipro railway station on the 29th of October, or for the inhumane double-tap strike on Komyshevka on 2nd of November, while civilians were receiving humanitarian aid. Our thoughts are with Ukraine and its people, and we join the Secretary General and the Council majority in condemning the latest deadly attacks on Ukraine. Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are unacceptable under international law, and they must stop. And Russia must be held accountable for the loss of life and the damage it inflicts. As the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine recently concluded, the Russian authorities have committed war crimes of intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects and committed crimes against humanity or other inhumane acts. We underline again the relentless bombing of Ukrainian cities, the continuing killing and injuring of civilians, including children. Damaging of residential buildings and civilian infrastructure do not convey a perception of strength, nor they support diplomacy. Ukraine is resilient, and we will stand with Ukraine for as long as needed in defending its freedom and future. Madam President, two months ago, the Romanian President, exactly in this chamber, warned about the regional and global shockwaves of the war. Threats to freedom of navigation and critical infrastructure in the Black Sea have intensified, and we heard it from the Council members as well today and from the briefers. with an escalation of maritime incidents, including violations of Romania's airspace and drone strikes against commercial vessels in our territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. October recorded the first time when a commercial vessel has been hit in Romania's territorial waters since the start of the war. And this escalation follows another first-of-a-kind incident in August this year, when the Romanian Air Force had to neutralize a drone in our exclusive economic zone in the proximity of the Neptune Deep offshore exploitation. So far in 2026, Romania recorded 105 attacks close to our border with Ukraine, which is a significant increase compared with previous years. And these developments are a direct consequence of Russia's war of aggression. In recent weeks, the aggressor moved to another level of escalation against civilian maritime transport in the Black Sea. by increasingly targeting Ukraine's maritime export lanes. Continued and intensified strikes on Ukraine's ports and commercial shipping have transformed the Black Sea in a high risk area. What is at stake at the Black Sea? It is one of the world's primary agricultural transit corridors. What we have at stake is food security, food prices worldwide. but also the safety and security of seafarers from around the world. We heard it in this Council several times in the past few months. And our credibility, of course, is also at stake as a Security Council, as the UN international community. There is no alternative to terrestrial or fluvial lanes that can replace the Black Sea in the global food supply chain. And I think our partners from Africa and from other corners of the world could testify to the significance of the supply chain that is represented by the Black Sea. Freedom and safety of navigation of Black Sea must be restored. Strikes on Ukraine's ports and commercial shipping on the Danube and in the Black Sea are unacceptable under international law. Drone breaches of national airspace of neighboring countries must also cease. Romania supported the call for a moratorium on attacks against merchant ships and port infrastructures in the Black Sea. And our response in protecting and defending our national airspace and territorial waters in the face of any violation will remain firm. Madam President, we welcome the efforts of the First Lady of the United States that led to important humanitarian breakthrough. And as trilateral talks resume in Abu Dhabi, time has come for Russia to genuinely choose diplomacy and to respond in good faith to the renewed efforts of Ukraine, United States, and European partners, and to end its war of aggression. Russia must agree to a full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire, as expected by the overwhelming majority of this Council and of the United Nations membership. Negotiations are done at the table, not through escalation against civilians or urbanization of winter. Thank you, Madam President. Latvia · President of the Security Council [3:01:49]: I thank the representative of Romania for the statement, and now we have the head of delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis, whom? I will give the floor under the rule 39. EU · EU · Head of Delegation to the UN [3:02:08]: Thank you, madam President. Let me begin by thanking you personally for being here today and for chairing this important meeting called by the Latvian presidency. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union's member states. The candidate countries, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Liechtenstein, Andorra and Monaco, align themselves with the statement. Since Russia launched its illegal and unjustified full-scale invasion in February 22, this Council has held, dear colleagues, over 100 meetings on Ukraine. Meeting after meeting, this Council, both its members and Ukraine, with the sole exception of Russia, reiterated its call for a ceasefire and for lasting peace in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter. This Council even adopted a resolution last year calling for a swift end to the conflict and a lasting peace. More than 20 months later, That appeal remains unanswered by a defiant and unrepentant Russia. In meeting after meeting, the Russian Federation displays a total absence of commitment to a ceasefire or to peace, and instead, day after day, it continues to intensify its dreadful attacks. The scale, dear colleagues, is staggering. With its army bogged down on the ground, Having lost territory across the front line over the past weeks, the Russian military is indiscriminately and blatantly targeting civilians in Ukraine. In a single week in late October, Russia launched nearly 2,300 drones, 1,600 guided air bombs, and 48 missiles against Ukraine. Civilians continue to pay the highest price when civilian infrastructure and objects are repeatedly targeted in a defiant violation of international law, a defiant violation of international law. Most recently, a railway platform in Dnipro. And as winter approaches, Russia continues to systematically target Ukraine's energy infrastructure, depriving civilians of electricity, of heating, and other essential services. The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, as you’ve heard from others, recently concluded that Russia’s systematic attacks on energy infrastructure constitute war crimes – mark that, colleagues – war crimes and crimes against humanity. The UN Commission. In addition, the UN Commission has also documented how Russian authorities have trafficked and recruited foreign nationals from at least 29 countries, through lies and deception, to serve in the Russian armed forces, qualifying this practice, according to the Commission, as human trafficking under international law. We are determined to work with all affected countries to put an end to this unacceptable practice. And all this adds to Russia's appalling record violations including conflict-related sexual violence and grave violations against children, for which Russia has repeatedly been listed in reports of the UN Secretary-General. Now, dear colleagues, these are not inevitable consequences of war. They are deliberate violations of international law for which the Russian Federation must be held accountable. Madam President, behind every Russian missile and drone, lies a supply chain that enables its production. Those providing military assistance, dual-use goods, and critical components to Russia are helping sustain this war. We call on all countries to cease such support. The European Union is acting to help Ukraine defend itself under the UN Charter and to bring Russia's aggression to an end. On Our 21st sanctions package further targets Russia's war machine, while we continue strengthening Ukraine's air defenses, energy resilience, and critical infrastructure. Increased pressure on Russia, coupled with stronger support to Ukraine, remains essential to bring Russia to the negotiating table. As we have repeatedly called for, Russia must agree to a full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire and engage seriously in meaningful negotiations. Let's hope this happens soon. Humanitarian measures can help build confidence. The recent prisoner exchange on 23rd of October demonstrated that practical steps are possible. These efforts must continue with the support of the United Nations. But full respect for international humanitarian law is not optional, and it is not selective. The return of unlawfully transferred Ukrainian children and civilian detainees and safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access are international obligations. Nor must we overlook the lasting psychological consequences of war and the need for sustained psychosocial support. Finally, Madam President, this Council must do more than document the suffering. It must act to end it. The overwhelming majority of Council members has called for a ceasefire and the protection of civilians. The problem is not the absence of appeal. It is Russia's continued refusal to heed them. Proposals to halt attacks against energy infrastructure and commercial shipping in the Black Sea are already on the table. Russia's attacks on Ukrainian ports, agricultural infrastructure, and civilian shipping have consequences at global level. The military escalation in the Black Sea has made it a choke point, as you just heard also from the Romanian PR. It is totally unacceptable that many innocent seafarers have lost their lives because of the attacks against civilian shipping. With international grain prices at their highest since 2023, further disruptions to global food supply chains risk driving prices even higher, harming coastal economies, and pushing millions more towards hunger. These are concrete opportunities to alleviate suffering, build confidence, and create conditions for meaningful diplomacy. They deserve this Council’s active engagement. The recent localized ceasefire arrangement in Oleshky also showed an example of practical progress, offering an opportunity to work towards further humanitarian access and safe passage for civilians. with you in support. Regrettably, the moment the ceasefire ended, colleagues, the moment the ceasefire ended. That moment, Russia wasted no time unleashing another wave of attacks on Kherson, including a drone strike on a hospital on November 2nd. That's the reality. President, Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders are not bargaining chips. They are rules. They are principles of the UN Charter that every member of this Council has a responsibility to uphold. The European Union will continue to stand firmly with Ukraine for as long as it takes to achieve comprehensive, just, and lasting peace grounded in the UN Charter. Thank you. Latvia · President of the Security Council [3:10:19]: I thank His Excellency Mr. Loumbrounidis for the statement. And we now return to the statements under Rule 37, and I give the floor to the representative of Finland. Finland · Nordic Group [3:10:32]: Madam President, I have the honour to address the Council on behalf of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Russia’s attacks against civilians and civilian objects demonstrate a lack of willingness to end the war. An example is the Russian strike in Komushivka last week. against a school sheltering civilians and serving as a humanitarian hub. It demonstrated disregard for civilian lives and for international humanitarian law. Russia has continued its strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, including in Zhotomyr, Odesa, and Rivne. These are not isolated incidents, as stated in the report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine referred in this meeting. The report found that the Russian authorities have committed war crimes of intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects and crimes against humanity through continuous attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The Commission's findings point that foreign nationals in vulnerable situations, including victims of human trafficking, have been exploited and recruited into the Russian armed forces. These findings indicate a pattern of disregard for human dignity and international law. Instead of engaging in negotiations, Russia continues to attack civilians, destroy critical infrastructure, and exploit persons in vulnerable situations. These are not the actions of a country seeking peace. We call on Russia to engage in genuine talks and end its war of aggression. It can choose to do so this week in Abu Dhabi. The Nordic countries continue to call for an immediate ceasefire as a first step towards a just, lasting, and sustainable peace in accordance with international law. Our support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders remain unwavering. As winter approaches, We will continue our efforts that help Ukrainians endure, recover, and rebuild. I thank you. Latvia · President of the Security Council [3:12:59]: I thank the representative of Finland. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. The meeting is adjourned.