As delivered
Statement by H.E. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, Permanent Representative of Latvia to the United Nations at the UN Security Council Briefing on Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine
New York, 20 April 2026
Thank you, Madam President,
I thank ASG Khiari and ASGMsuya for their briefings.
Madam President,
Over the past month, Russia has launched some of the most vicious attacks of its barbaric war of aggression against Ukraine.
During Orthodox Easter, Ukrainian civilians had only 32 hours free from terror. One night without Russia’s long-range drones, missiles or guided bombs.
Predictably, yet regrettably, since then, the Russian leadership has escalated its barbaric brutality.
Just nine hours after our last Security Council meeting on Ukraine on 23 March was over, Russia launched the largest drone attack ever recorded in the history of modern warfare – in 24 hours, 948 drones struck Ukrainian cities. As verified by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, this attack killed at least six people and injured almost 100. The strikes also hit a maternity hospital and damaged a 16th century monastery – a UNESCO World Heritage site.
March marked yet another record month of civilian casualties, most occurring in Ukrainian cities and towns far away from the frontline. And, deplorably, on 16 April alone Russia once again launched over 700 drones and missiles against Ukrainian cities, killing at least 20 people and injuring over 100 in its deadliest attack this year.
Since February 2022, Russia has launched a staggering number of aerial attacks against Ukraine at least 94 344 long-range strike drones and missiles. As verified by World Health Organisation, Russia has conducted at least 2881 attacks affecting health care facilities, ambulances and medical warehouses in Ukraine.
Madam President,
Russia, a permanent member of this Council with a special responsibility to uphold the UN Charter, continues to wage an unprovoked and illegal war against Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure. Russia is deliberately causing a global security and economic crisis, plus enabling and assisting Iranian attacks against our GCC partners. Meanwhile, Ukraine is actively helping the Gulf countries to defend themselves against the attacks by Iran, the same kind attacks Ukrainians know so well.
The Kremlin can try to hide the truth about the real costs and losses of this war from the Russian people by imposing internet blackouts, banning digital platforms and repressing independent media.
But Russia cannot hide the truth from the world. The world knows the imperial motives and the brutal reality of Russia’s war. This is shown by the widespread support for Ukraine’s General Assembly resolution on the 4th anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Madam President,
Let Russia and its allies remember - accountability for all atrocities is not optional. It does not have an expiration date. Latvia is committed to being one of the founding members of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine as well as the International Claims Commission for Ukraine. 20 countries in total have already committed to joining the Special Tribunal. And we urge all countries to defend the fundamental principles of international law and demand accountability.
Russia continues to deny access of the United Nations and independent monitors to the occupied territories in Ukraine and to Russia itself. The available verified reporting documents the grave and systematic crimes committed against Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war.
These weeks the whole UN celebrates the indigenous peoples. I would like to draw attention to the Crimean Tatars, the indigenous peoples of the occupied Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine. This Muslim community already faced mass deportations by the Soviet regime. Thousands of them returned to a free Ukraine and a free Crimea. But this all changed in 2014. They are facing ethnic, political and religious persecution and currently make up the majority of the political prisoners in Crimea.
To conclude Madam President,
Russia’s war is an imperial war.
It is a war against the Ukrainian nation and its freedom. It is aimed at destroying the Ukrainian state, culture, history, and language.
Russia can end this war and the civilian suffering immediately. If Ukraine stopped defending itself, it would be the end of Ukraine.
This is why Latvia firmly stands with Ukraine, its sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity.
Latvia supports all peace efforts, especially under the leadership of the United States and European countries, to bring a just and lasting peace, in line with the UN Charter.
An immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire is the first step.
We call on all countries to exert maximum pressure on Russia, so it meaningfully engages in the peace process.
I thank you.