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Statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha at the emergency meeting of the UN Security Council

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

22 September 2025 19:41

Thank you for organizing this important meeting.

Just ten days ago, this Council held an emergency meeting requested by Poland after being intruded by two dozen Russian drones. Today we are meeting at the urgent request of Estonia after three Russian jets violated its airspace.

What's next? Which other emergency meeting will we have to hold in the coming weeks? Who will be the next country dealing with Russia's provocations?

None of these developments were accidental. No. Moscow does this on purpose. A country occupying a permanent seat in this Council is destroying international peace and security it is supposed to maintain. The logic is simple. Russia escalates to force everyone to play by its rules. It wants to impose the law of the jungle upon everyone: might make right.

Our goal is the opposite. We must make Russia play by our rules. We have such rules accepted by everyone. They are called the UN Charter.

It is important that existing tools, to be it the Security Council meeting or invocation of NATO Article 4 are actively used. However, political action should be backed by strong practical steps. Weak or late responses will only encourage further aggression.

Europe is not at war with Russia. But Russia is at war with Europe. And the only way to safeguard peace is to respond with strength and unity. The best way to prevent a larger war in Europe is to increase support for Ukraine. If you help us end this war sooner with respect to the UN Charter, Russia will not expand it to other nations.

Mr. President,

A strong response means that a threat should not be escorted, neither for twelve minutes, nor for one minute. It should be neutralized. We reiterate our readiness for air defense integration. This is our European sky — over Ukraine and other European nations. This is our common security space. And we must have a common sky shield to protect us all.

Ukraine is the only country in the world countering regular massive air attacks of more than half a thousand drones and missiles. We are ready to share experience and join forces.

An integrated European air-defense system — combining intelligence, early warning, and active interception — is essential. We have the capabilities, experience, and alliances. But action must be decisive, adequate, and swift. Other elements of a strong response include devastating sanctions pressure and strong deterrence packages for Ukraine.

The Russian war machine can only be stopped through strength, not weakness. "Wait and see" is not a strategy. Let's abandon wishful thinking. Russia poses an existential threat to Europe and it will not disappear if we close our eyes.

Ukraine has learned many bitter lessons in the past. What we now see in Poland and Estonia reminds of how Russian aggression against Ukraine started. Hybrid attacks and escalation, unmarked soldiers, violations of state border, and other steps. We can see this pattern repeating but in other forms. The only effective way to counter this escalation is to respond with strength and unity.

In conclusion, we reiterate that aggression against any European nation threatens the security of all. Only united action can prevent escalation and preserve peace in Europe.

We stand in solidarity with our friendly Estonia, with the Estonian government and people, and we are ready to contribute to our shared security.

Thank you.