Statement by the Republic of Latvia on behalf of the Baltic States - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania at the United Nations Security Council Briefing on Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine, 30 October 2024, New York
Madam President,
I am addressing the Council on behalf of three Baltic States - Estonia, Lithuania and my own country Latvia. We align ourselves with the Statement of the European Union.
We thank Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča for the comprehensive briefing.
Since the beginning of its aggression against Ukraine, Russia in this very chamber has been boasting about its inevitable victory. However, the situation on the ground is different. The Kremlin, grappling with ammunition shortages and huge manpower losses, has not only turned to Pyongyang for military supplies, but now even for troop deployment. It is more than alarming that the DPRK has reportedly deployed 10 000 troops to Russia for further possible deployment to Ukraine. Russia has recruited a large number of interpreters, while training the DPRK soldiers to use Russian military equipment, including drones.
Boots on the ground of a third country’s armed forces at the battle field marks a significant escalation in Russia's aggression against Ukraine. By joining Russia’s war of aggression, the DPRK violates the most basic rules of international law enshrined in the UN Charter, namely the prohibition of the use of force and the obligation to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states. The Baltic States condemn this fact in the strongest possible terms. We demand Russia to immediately cease all military operations and withdraw all troops and equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine, within its internationally recognised borders.
Russia must also stop blatantly abusing its UN Security Council permanent member status. We recall that in March Russia vetoed extension of the mandate of the Panel of Experts for the UN Security Council’s 1718 Committee on the DPRK. Recently Russia’s foreign minister has claimed that the DPRK’s nuclear disarmament is a “closed issue”. These developments highlight how Russia is willing to exploit its P5 role and shield the DPRK from accountability in exchange for the latter’s military support. By pursuing such opportunistic partnership, Russia and the DPRK are posing grave security risks and destabilizing both Europe and Asia, with severe global repercussions.
We call on the DPRK, also on Belarus, and on Iran to stop their assistance to Russia in waging its cruel war of aggression against Ukraine. The Baltic States also urge China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, to safeguard principles enshrined in the UN Charter, and to exercise its influence on Russia to end its war of aggression against its sovereign neighbour.
Madam President,
Russia and all accomplices must bear full legal and financial responsibility for their violations of international law. We must spare no effort to ensure comprehensive accountability for all crimes committed by Russia’s leaders in Ukraine. Establishment of a Special Tribunal will serve to prosecute those responsible for the crime of aggression. We encourage other countries to support this proposal.
Russia tries to rearrange the international system that only benefits aggressors. Russia tries to tear down what has been built by all of us. We must ensure that the global rules-based order remains resilient in the face of these actions. The Baltic States support just peace in Ukraine based on Ukraine’s Peace Formula, that is rooted in principles of the UN Charter and international law. We encourage all members of the United Nations to join it.
In conclusion, let me reiterate that the Baltic States strongly support Ukraine’s exercise of its inherent right for self-defence and reaffirm our full solidarity with Ukraine in restoring its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
I thank you!