Statement by H.E. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, Permanent Representative of Latvia to the United Nations, at the UN Security Council Briefing on Threats to International Peace and Security
New York, 22 May 2026
Thank you, Mr. President,
First, I thank OCHA Director Wosornu, SRSG Frazier and Deputy Executive Director Chaiban for their factual briefings.
The war Russia started affects every inch of Ukrainian territory – from Lviv to occupied Doneck and Luhansk, from Chernihiv to occupied Crimea.
The UN can verify casualties and violations of international humanitarian law only in Ukraine’s controlled territories, because the Government of Ukraine provides full and unimpeded access. Russia denies any access to temporary occupied territories; hence Russia operates only with its own claims, without verification and independent media.
Disinformation and lies are a well-worn tactic from the Kremlin’s playbook, designed to advance Russia’s imperialistic aspirations and threaten countries. Russia has been fabricating pretexts, stalling for time, deliberately undermining any genuine peace efforts.
Latvia will only engage on facts, not allegations.
Facts speak for themselves.
UNICEF has verified that bombardments have killed or injured more than 3,200 children since Russia started the full-scale aggression in 24 February 2022. For three consecutive years UN-verified child casualties in Ukraine have increased. More than 1,700 schools and other education facilities have been damaged or destroyed.
OHCHR has verified that at least 238 civilians were killed and 1,404 injured in Ukraine in April 2026 alone. In April the Security Council held only one meeting on Ukraine.
WHO has verified at least 2881 attacks by Russia in Ukraine against health care, affecting health workers, facilities, ambulances, and medical warehouses.
There are numerous UN investigative reports that detail widespread war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Russia in Ukraine.
Let Russia and its allies remember accountability for all atrocities committed is not optional. It does not have an expiration date.
Latvia has been calling on Russia to provide full and unimpeded access to occupied territories and Russia itself for UN agencies and international monitors.
In every meeting Latvia has stressed the dire situation in the occupied territories:
- in February Latvia underscored again the forcibly transferred Ukrainian children and militarization of Ukrainian children in the occupied territories
- in March I drew the attention to the widespread torture against prisoners of war and civilian detainees taking place in Russia’s detention facilities, including in the occupied territories,
- In April we highlighted the ethnic, political and religious persecution of Crimean tatars, who make up the majority of the political prisoners in occupied Crimea,
- Last Tuesday we raised the unacceptable situation in the occupied village of Oleshky, where due to Russian drone attacks and mined roads, civilians are trapped in the village with limited food supplies and no drinking water.
Mr President,
It is outright cynical and shameful that Russia has called this meeting today. Obvious that for Russia international humanitarian law matters only when it fits its imperialistic goals.
Only when Russia does will fully cooperate with the UN system and independent monitors, there can be a meaning engagement.
So far there are only attacks the UN system and independent monitors; internet blackouts imposed on their own population and repression of independent media.
So my message is clear – Russia started this war in 2014. Russia can end it. Leave Luhansk. Leave Donetsk. Leave Sevastopol. Leave Mariupol.
Let the Ukrainian people live in peace as they did before.
Unconditional ceasefire is the first step to achieve a just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter.
I thank you.