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 (Russia)
New York, 29 June 2026
Thank you, Madam President,
I thank the Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee for her factual briefing.
Compliance with international humanitarian law is not optional. It is binding in all circumstances and on all parties to an armed conflict. The protection of civilians during wartime is of utmost importance.
Latvia’s position is clear: we engage only on the basis of verified facts, not allegations. While Russia repeatedly attempts to use the Council to deflect attention from its actions, it continues to deny access to independent investigators, instead relying only on its own unverified claims.
Latvia continues to call on Russia to provide full, safe, and unimpeded access to the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, as well as to relevant sites within Russia, for UN agencies and international monitors.
Latvia also continues to call for an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire to which Russia remains the only obstacle.
Madam President,
We have met regularly to condemn Russia for its grave violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law against Ukrainian civilians. There are countless UN reports containing independently verified evidence documenting violations on a scope and scale that are both unimaginable and well known to the Council. Let us recall that Russia is the only permanent member of the Security Council listed for grave violations against children in the Secretary-General’s reports on Children and Armed Conflict and Conflict Related Sexual Violence.
In recent days alone, Russian attacks have again shown the human cost of this aggression. On June 26, a civilian minivan in Nikopol was targeted, killing two people and injuring at least twelve, including two girls. On June 24 a humanitarian demining team from Norwegian People’s Aid was targeted in Kherson, killing two staff members and injuring several more. We stand in solidarity with our allies.
Attacks against humanitarian personnel constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes.
International humanitarian law is universal. It protects all civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Let the Council speak on all attacks and all systematic atrocities committed in this war that Russia has been waging by its own choice for the fifth year. Russia deliberately seeks to conceal the consequences of its war, including by restricting journalists and denying full access to international monitors.
Russia ranks 172nd out of 180 in the World Press Freedom Index, making it one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists.
Latvia would welcome a dedicated discussion on the implementation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in Russia itself and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Such a discussion should be based on verified facts and presented by UN briefers, including the OHCHR, Special Rapporteurs, and the ICRC.
Madam President,
Allow me to address one further point. Belarus has been, and continues to be, a close ally of Russia in this war. Belarus continues to openly support Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine by providing its territory and infrastructure for Russia’s attacks. Majority of Belarusian military-industrial enterprises are involved in fulfilling Russian state defense orders. Latvia has consistently advocated and will continue to advocate for stronger sanctions, as well as for holding Belarus accountable.
We therefore ask – what is the purpose of this meeting? Is it yet another attempt to fabricate a justification for escalation? We know all too well the tactic Russia employs by repeatedly manufacturing pretexts for reckless and dangerous actions. Let me stress that there is still no access, only attacks – verbal and physical against the UN system and independent monitors seeking to establish the facts.
In conclusion, Madam President,
The defense of Ukraine’s sovereignty is the defense of the UN Charter itself. The Charter protects each and every nation in this room from the resurgence of imperial spheres of influence. Russia started this war. Russia can end it. There can be no impunity for aggression, for war crimes, or for crimes against children.
I thank you!