Statement by the Republic of Latvia on behalf of the Republic of Estonia, Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Latvia
Delivered by H.E. Ms. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, Permanent Representative of Latvia
United Nations Security Council Briefing on Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine
9 October 2023, New York
Mister President,
I thank you for the opportunity to address the Council today.
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of three Baltic States - Estonia, Lithuania and my own country Latvia. We align ourselves with the Statement delivered by the European Union.
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which is enabled by Belarus, is a blatant violation of the UN Charter and threat to the rules based international order. We strongly condemn Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine.
We call upon Russia to immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine, within its internationally recognised borders.
Let me reiterate that the sole responsibility for this war lays on Russia. Russia started this war, and Russia alone can and must end it immediately.
Mister President,
We are witnessing a clear pattern of Russia’s deliberate steps aimed at causing maximum suffering to Ukraine’s civilian population and targeting civilian infrastructure. The evidence of such attacks is mounting.
Innocent civilians, including children, are killed or their rights gravely violated by the Russian armed forces. To this day, the UN has been able to confirm close to 10 000 killed civilians in this war of aggression. This is only a part of the real death toll as Russia continues to restrict access to the territories it illegally controls in Ukraine. More than eleven million people have been forced to leave their homes or flee their country.
October 5 deadly bombings on settlement of Hroza in Kupiansk, Kharkiv region, killed more than 50 people, including a child. This yet another atrocious attack against innocent civilians.
Mister President,
Russia’s appalling terror against Ukraine’s civilian population continues. Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure are serious violations of international humanitarian law and thus constitute war crimes. As long as it is the case, there is no place for Russia in the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The UN Commission of Inquiry has confirmed systematic use of torture, executions, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, rape, as well as forced deportation executed by Russia.
The intentional targeting of civilians must stop. These crimes must stop immediately.
Mister President,
Russian leadership, military personnel, perpetrators and accomplices must be held accountable for each and every international crime committed in and against Ukraine. Accountability will be ensured. Justice will be brought to the victims. There will be no impunity for war crimes.
Let me also underscore that Russia’s threats to revoke the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty are highly irresponsible and seriously undermine global security. We call upon Russia to stop its’ nuclear blackmail.
Mister President,
We are at a critical moment for the global order. Russia’s war of aggression continues to challenge the world in many ways. Changing internationally recognized borders by force must not be accepted by international community.
International community must firmly stand together against Russia’s attack on the principles and norms of the international law. We will continue to provide all necessary support to Ukraine. Respect for the UN Charter is in the vital interest of all states.
I thank you!