EU Statement - UN Security Clouncil: Maintainance of Peace and Security in Ukraine
European External Action Service (EEAS)
25.07.2025
New York
Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in New York
25 July 2025, New York - Statement on behalf of the European Union at the UN Security Clouncil 9965th meeting: Maintainance of Peace and Security in Ukraine, delivered by H.E. Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis, Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations.
Check against delivery
President,
Thank you to the briefers for sharing their assessment of the disastrous consequences of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
The past weeks we have seen the continuation of two trends. On the one hand, Ukraine has shown a genuine commitment to peace by calling for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire as a first step to ending this war. On the other hand, Russia has continued its indiscriminate missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns. Intentionally directing an attack against civilians or civilian objects or causing disproportionate civilian harm is a war crime.
Earlier this month the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine published its report on the protection of civilians. It concluded that June 2025 saw the highest number of monthly civilian casualties in the past three years, with 232 people killed and 1,343 injured. This is unacceptable.
I underline once again the EU's steadfast determination to put an end to Russia's war of aggression and to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, in line with the decisions of the UN General Assembly. We, as Europeans, together with Ukraine, have been working tirelessly to this end and we welcome all efforts in that direction.
We have joined Ukraine and international partners, including the United States, in calling for a full, unconditional and immediate ceasefire. This pause in hostilities could serve as a vital step toward reducing civilian suffering and allow for further exchanges of prisoners of war and for the return of forcibly displaced Ukrainian children.
Russia could end its war now. It could accept a full and unconditional ceasefire, as Ukraine has. We call on the Council to exert maximum pressure for a ceasefire. This would provide space for meaningful talks aimed at ending Russia's war of aggression and achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace, grounded in the principles of the UN Charter and international law.
We urge Russia to cease its aggression and withdraw all its forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine immediately, completely and unconditionally. I remind this Council that Ukraine has an inherent right of self-defence under article 51 of the UN Charter. Russia is the aggressor. Ukraine is the party defending itself.
Furthermore, the EU strongly condemns support by third countries, and actors and entities therein, which enable Russia to sustain its war of aggression. The EU condemns the continued military support provided by Iran, Belarus and the DPRK. We urge all countries to immediately cease any direct or indirect assistance to Russia in its war of aggression.
The EU underlines the importance of humanitarian relief efforts and confidence-building measures, notably the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilians and the return of all Ukrainian civilians, particularly children, that have been forcibly transferred or deported to Russia and Belarus .
We commend the efforts of OCHA and its humanitarian partners in providing assistance to those in need. Full, safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access must be facilitated for humanitarian relief to reach all civilians in need, including in areas under temporary Russian occupation.
In closing, I reaffirm the EU's unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The EU will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.
Thank you.
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