Mr Chairperson,

On behalf of the delegation of Ukraine allow me to deliver a statement on the subject of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

In just two days, we will mark one year since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.

On 24 February 2022, the Kremlin treacherously started unprovoked and unjustified armed aggression against Ukraine by launching massive missile and air strikes against Ukrainian cities across the entire country and invading Ukraine from the territories of both the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, as well as from the temporarily occupied areas in Donbas and Crimea.

This act of aggression was preceded by eight years of temporary occupation of Crimea and Donbas by the Russian Federation, and its fuelling of the conflict in the east of Ukraine by supplying weapons and troops there.

This act of aggression was preceded by months of Russia’s blackmailing of Ukraine, NATO, EU and US with unacceptable and illegitimate demands aimed at undermining rules-based international legal order.

This act of aggression was proceeded by the Kremlin’s recognition of the so-called «independence» of the occupied parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine that effectively amounted to Russia's unilateral withdrawal from the Minsk agreements and rejection of decisions taken by the Normandy Four.

Just one day before the invasion, in this very room, the Russian representative claimed to be on the right side of history, while other participating States «have failed to learn their lessons». In the same statement, he called all concerns expressed by the international community with regard to the large-scale military build-up along the border of Ukraine as «a large-scale orgy of hatred, information terrorism and hysterical propaganda».

Everyone knows by now that Russian pathetic statements have been nothing but a barefaced lie.

By launching the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian Federation set itself above and beyond tenets of international law, including the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, the Charter of Paris for a New Europe, other multilateral and bilateral treaties and documents.

In its neo-imperialistic attempt to remake the world order, to redraw state borders on the European continent, and to carve out for itself an exclusive zone of interests, the Russian Federation completely destroyed all previous attempts to find a politico-diplomatic solution with the only aim – to completely destroy Ukrainian nation and its statehood.

Esteemed colleagues,

Now, one year later, we can proudly say that despite significant military advantage, Russia failed to reach its key goals. Ukraine did not surrender in three days, as Kremlin was expecting. Ukraine is exercising its legitimate right of self-defence according to Article 51 of the UN Charter.

We not only stopped the invasion, but were able to liberate almost half of Ukraine’s newly occupied territories thanks to successful counter-offensives. We continue to fight and we will win.

The Russian troops carry on with their attempt to seize the entire territory of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as well as to advance in the Southern regions of Ukraine. However, even using their superiority in manpower and the number of military equipment, the Russian forces are not able to reach their goals and continue to bear significant losses. Russia’s ongoing unsuccessful attempts to seize Bakhmut clearly demonstrate that.

In total, since the beginning of the invasion, the Russian Federation has already lost 145,060 soldiers, 3,334 tanks, 6,569 armoured vehicles, 2,345 pieces of artillery and 471 MLRS, 299 aircraft and 287 helicopters. In this senseless and brutal war against Ukraine, the Russian Federation has already lost more soldiers than in any other war waged by it or by the Soviet Union after 1945.

These figures prove that the decision to launch the invasion has become a strategic disaster for the Russian Federation. The Kremlin probably needs more time to admit it. Meanwhile, the Russian Federation has not changed its plans to destroy Ukraine and continues the war sparing no efforts or human lives.

During one year of Russia’s war against Ukraine, 8,006 civilians were killed, 13,287 people were injured according to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. More than 7 million Ukrainians are now internally displaced while approximately 7.9 million are being hosted in more than 40 countries as temporarily protected persons.

Due to the ongoing hostilities and regular attacks by the Russian forces, numerous settlements in Ukraine were razed to the ground, hundreds of towns and villages were changed beyond any recognition. As a result, millions of people, including the most vulnerable social groups of children and the elderly, are experiencing serious problems with energy, heating and water supplies.

Despite all the damage already done and the clear inability to destroy Ukrainian statehood, the Kremlin does not give up its heinous plans, continuing the war and killing the civilian population of Ukraine in a purely terroristic manner by launching regular air and missile attacks that are deliberately targeting civilians. During some attacks, the Russian forces launch over 100 cruise and ballistic missiles as well as assault UAVs.

In the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, independent non-Government human rights organisations continue to register multiple facts of horrendous violence, deliberate persecution of Ukrainian patriots, killings, tortures, and other human rights violations that are committed by the Russian troops.

Since 24 February 2022, Ukrainian law-enforcement agencies have already registered more than 70,000 crimes of aggression and war crimes that have been committed by the Russian forces.

The aggressor state will be responsible for its crimes. It will be brought to justice thanks to the efforts of Ukraine and all our partners, everyone who is now helping us protect our independence, freedom and international order.

We also want to once again emphasize the importance of creating a Special Tribunal for the Punishment of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine in order to bring the Russian political and military leadership to justice for committing the crime of aggression.

On the way to this, we welcome the decision of the Government of the Netherlands of 17 February to place in The Hague the International Register to Document Damages Caused by Russian Federation Aggression against Ukraine, the creation of which was recommended by the Resolution of the UN General Assembly of 14 November 2022.

Dear colleagues,

Russia's nuclear terrorism threatens the whole world. The Russian Federation grossly violates the norms of international law, undermines the norms of nuclear and radiation safety. Russian occupying forces continue active militarization of the Zaporizhzhya NPP and the adjacent territory, deploying military equipment and military personnel there. Russian missiles and kamikaze drones fly dangerously close to the reactors of the South Ukrainian NPP. Russia's criminal actions could lead to a catastrophe the scale of which was unknown to Europe.

Russia continues to deliberately destroy the existing architecture of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. The decision of the Russian Federation announced yesterday to suspend its participation in New START Treaty is yet another provocative act by the aggressor state. By undermining one of the key international treaties in the area of nuclear weapons control, Russia has brazenly challenged the entire international community, once again proved its violent nature and demonstrated its aggressive intent to ruin international peace and security.

We must stay united in responding decisively to Russa`s aggressive behaviour and take urgent joint actions to prevent and counter any form of nuclear blackmailing by the terrorist state.

Mr Chairperson,

Over the past year, it has become clear that if the Russian military machine is not defeated on the battlefield in Ukraine, it will soon become a serious military threat to its neighbours, including all of Europe.

That is why Ukraine's victory is so important for European and global security.

That is why the entire civilized world supports Ukraine in repelling Russian aggression and protecting its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

The aggressor state must understand that the price for its actions is unacceptably high.

Sanctions, in particular those targeting the economic sectors aimed at maintaining the army, remain an important tool to limit Russia`s military potential turning the war into an unbearable burden for the Kremlin.

Together, Ukraine and its partners are doing everything to ensure that the Russian terrorist state is defeated in this war. And to make it happen faster.

Political and financial support for Ukraine, military assistance and training missions are extremely important in this regard.

There have already been 9 meetings of the Ukraine Defence Consultative Group (the so-called Ramstein meetings). 54 partner states have already taken a multitude of strong decisions to help protect our state, to strengthen combat readiness of our soldiers.

The vision of Ukrainian victory dominated the discussions at the Munich Security Conference. We appreciate the important statements regarding the continuation of support for Ukraine, and for the messages of increasing the supply of arms for our defence.

It is very symbolic that the US president visited the capital of Ukraine a few days before the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. We highly appreciate the demonstration of strong support from one of Ukraine's most important Western partners. We consider it a clear signal to the Kremlin regime that the West is no longer afraid of Putin's nuclear, energy and grain threats and will support Ukraine as long as it is necessary for its victory.

Our friends and partners continue to provide Ukraine with an unprecedented level of assistance to guarantee Ukraine`s fundamental right to self-defence. We are grateful to everyone for their support.

The sooner and the more military assistance Ukraine gets, particularly artillery and ammunition, tanks, long-range missiles, and fighter jets, the sooner the war will end with a just and lasting peace.

Esteemed colleagues,

Russia's brutal attack on Ukraine and the entire rules-based order destroyed global security and endangered all nations. This war must end with the triumph of international law and the UN Charter. In order to restore justice for Ukraine, Europe, and the whole world.

In conclusion, let me reiterate that Ukraine remains devoted to struggle for the liberation of Ukraine from the Russian invaders. We will continue to counteract Russian aggression till the full restoration of Ukraine`s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, including the territories that the Russian side attempted to annex in Crimea, Donbas, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.

We will fight to achieve this goal no matter how long it takes because for us it is the issue of the very existence of the Ukrainian nation and its statehood.

Thank you, Mr Chairperson.