Statement by H.E. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Latvia at the United Nations Security Council High-Level Open Debate on “Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the U.N. Charter and Strengthening the U.N.-Centred International System”
New York, 26 May 2026
Mr. President,
I thank China’s Presidency for convening this timely and important high-level open debate and especially, H.E. Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of China for honouring us with his presence today. I thank the Secretary-General H.E. António Guterres for his valuable briefing and his principled leadership.
The UN Charter was born from the devastation of the Second World War. Its promise was clear: to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, and to ensure that international relations are governed by law, not by force.
Today’s debate rightly highlights that, at the time of multiplying conflicts raging from Ukraine to Middle East, to Sudan, Great Lakes and many other regions of the world, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter must be applied consistently, not selectively.
In this context, I would like to highlight the following three points.
First, the UN Charter is not a menu from which States may pick and choose the principles they like and disregard the rest. Sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-use of force, peaceful settlement of disputes, non-interference, and the good-faith fulfilment of obligations are not abstract principles. They are binding legal obligations and the basis of the multilateral system.
Impunity for the violations of the UN Charter, including Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, gravely undermine and destabilise the international system.
A state cannot call for peace while rejecting the peaceful settlement of disputes. It cannot claim respect for international law while disregarding the most fundamental obligations of the UN Charter. It is not merely a document of political aspiration, but a legal shield against aggression, coercion, and injustice.
Second, it is our duty to protect the UN Charter, in order for the UN Charter to protect us. Safeguarding it requires legal clarity, accountability and Council’s action. The UN Charter cannot defend itself. It depends on Member States and especially this Council to uphold it at all times.
The Security Council bears the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. That responsibility must be exercised in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Russia has flagrantly and systematically violated its obligations as a permanent member of this body. The Council’s authority rests on its ability to defend the rules it was created to uphold. This includes the obligation under Article 2 paragraph 3 and Article 33 to settle disputes by peaceful means through negotiation, mediation, arbitration or other lawful avenues in a manner that safeguards international peace and security.
Concrete action by this Council means calling out violations of the UN Charter when they occur. It means rejecting selective interpretations of its principles. It means supporting genuine diplomacy rooted in international law, not coercion and aggression. And it means ensuring accountability when the UN Charter is violated. The Council cannot fail to uphold the Charter and still expect it to remain authoritative. In our view, a more effective, transparent, representative and accountable Council is essential to delivering on the purposes and principles of the Charter.
We expect the next Secretary-General to serve as a guardian of the Charter. To defend its principles and purposes consistently, and to speak up clearly when they are violated. At a time when the UN Charter and international law are under pressure, silence and hesitation in the face of clear violations does not protect the credibility of the United Nations, it undermines trust in the multilateral system.
Third, threats against sovereign States are threats against the Charter itself. The prohibition contained in Article 2, paragraph 4 is clear. States must refrain not only from the use of force, but also from the threat of use of force against any state.
Let me take an example of the Russian Federation, which in recent months has been building up a deliberate hostile campaign against the Baltic states, with completely baseless claims that they have allegedly given permission for the use of their airspace or territory for Ukraine to execute military operations against targets in the Russian Federation. These are lies and the Russian Federation is fully aware of the facts. However, on 19 May, the Russian Federation escalated these claims by openly threatening the use of force against the Republic of Latvia. Moreover, the same day the threats were reiterated in this very room. While lies and disinformation have long been an integral part of Russia’s diplomatic tools, it does not make Russia's hostile campaign and threats of use of force – issued in clear violation of the UN Charter – acceptable or legitimate.
Russia must be held accountable for its aggression against Ukraine and for other violations of the UN Charter.
Latvia will continue to stand for the importance of international law and the principles of the UN Charter, and we will work collectively with others to ensure that the world is not governed by aggression and brute force, but by law and mutual respect.
I thank you!
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