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The President at the United Nations: Aggressor countries have no place in the UN Security Council

President of the Republic of Lithuania

September 26, 2024

President Gitanas Nausėda, alongside the Presidents of Latvia and Estonia, held a traditional meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). During this meeting, they discussed global security challenges, the repercussions of Russia's war in Ukraine, the UN's role in holding Russia accountable for its war crimes, and the need for lasting peace in Europe.

Gitanas Nausėda emphasized the necessity of reforming the UN Security Council to prevent aggressor countries from using their permanent seats on the UN Security Council to evade accountability. According to the Lithuanian leader, it is unacceptable that the UN becomes powerless in the face of the aggressor and lack the means to stop it. The President stressed the importance of the UN's role in achieving lasting peace in Europe and called for support for the Peace Formula proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, asserting that peace talks must occur on Ukraine's terms.

The Head of State also emphasized that Russia's war in Ukraine is marked by brutality and numerous violations of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter.

"The collective response of the international community, including the UN, has not been sufficient to stop Russia's brutal war in Ukraine, which continues to this day. While we cannot undo the atrocities of war, we must ensure that they do not go unaccounted for," the President stated.

President Gitanas Nausėda reiterated Lithuania's support for the International Criminal Court's (ICC) investigations aimed at prosecuting those responsible for international crimes within its jurisdiction and said that the ICC must take a leading role in investigating war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine. Gitanas Nausėda also highlighted the necessity of establishing a special tribunal to investigate the crime of Russia's aggression in Ukraine and to hold its political and military leadership accountable for the crimes committed. The President pointed out that Russia's accomplice, Belarus, must also face accountability, and that pressure must increase on Iran for supplying military equipment to Russia.

The President's Communication Group