Mr. Chairperson,

I would like to deliver a statement on the subject of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.

How much longer can this war last? 

This is the question millions of Ukrainians ask themselves every single day. And it is the question the entire civilized world must answer — not with silence, but with resolve.

More than four years have passed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. More than twelve years have passed since the illegal occupation of Crimea. For over a decade, the Ukrainian people have been forced to fight for their very right to exist — against an aggressor that recognizes no borders, no laws, and no human decency.

During this time, Russia has authored a catalogue of horrors that defies comprehension. Every territory it has touched has been turned into a wasteland — physically, economically, culturally, and morally. It is a deliberate, genocidal campaign aimed at erasing a nation — its history, its identity, its future, and its people.

And yet, every time we believe Russia has reached the depths of its barbarity, it finds a new way to shock the conscience of humanity.

Just days ago, between July 15 and 20, Russian strikes killed at least 42 civilians and wounded more than 270. In one of the largest attacks since the beginning of the full-scale war, Russia unleashed 41 missiles and 125 attack drones on Kyiv in a single night. They deliberately targeted residential buildings, passenger trains, civilian infrastructure, amusement park in Odesa region and even a children’s rehabilitation center in Sumy. In Zaporizhzhia, an 11-year-old girl was killed. In Kharkiv region, they destroyed a Nova Poshta terminal — for the third time — murdering at least four civilians.

These are not military targets. These are homes. These are children. This is terror — pure and deliberate.

While our defenders demonstrate extraordinary courage and ingenuity every day — striking Russian ammunition depots, command centers, and supply lines — Russia responds the only way it knows how: by waging war on Ukrainian civilians. Unable to break our soldiers on the battlefield, the Kremlin tries to break the will of our people in the rear.

All of this constitutes flagrant violations of international humanitarian law. These systematic attacks on civilians are war crimes and crimes against humanity. They must be condemned in the strongest possible terms — and they must finally be met with a decisive response from the entire civilized world.

Distinguished colleagues,

We are fighting an existential war for our right to live on our own land against a country that surpasses us in size and population. Yet we are not alone. We are profoundly grateful to our partners for the massive support you have already provided and continue to provide. Technological superiority and allied solidarity can overcome any numerical advantage the enemy may possess.

But today, the greatest threat to our cities remains ballistic missiles. Ukrainian children, mothers, and elderly cannot continue dying under Russian strikes. Russia must stop this aggression. Until it does, Ukraine urgently needs sustained and substantial support — especially in air defense.

Ukraine calls on its partners to establish a comprehensive Winter Air Defense Package centered on Patriot interceptor missiles, as Russia continues to intensify its missile attacks and deliberately weaponize winter against the Ukrainian people. Patriot systems remain the most effective defense against ballistic missiles, while SAMP/T, IRIS-T, NASAMS, and the newly launched FREYJA Anti-Ballistic Missile Program are essential components of a resilient, layered air defense architecture.

On 13 July, on the sidelines of the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris, the leaders of 10 countries launched the FREYJA Anti-Ballistic Missile Program and signed the Joint Declaration establishing the Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition. The Coalition remains open to additional participants and is designed to strengthen Europe's collective ballistic missile defense capabilities and reinforce long-term strategic security.

Every additional air defense package saves lives. Every delay costs lives.

Mr. Chairperson,

On 17 July, the international community marked the twelfth anniversary of the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over the temporarily occupied part of Ukraine's Donetsk region. The tragedy laid bare the true nature of Russia's conduct—defined by cynicism, deception, and a blatant disregard for human life, international law, and the fundamental principles of the UN Charter.

Twelve years later, as Russia continues its brutal war against Ukraine, the lessons of MH17 remain as relevant as ever: impunity only fuels further aggression, while lasting peace and security can be achieved only through accountability and justice for all victims.

Distinguished colleagues,

Hesitation and half-measures only encourage the Kremlin to commit new crimes. The time has come for the European Union to adopt the 21st package of sanctions against Russia — a clear and powerful response to its campaign of aerial terror.

Together, we must prove that the democratic world is stronger than tyranny. That violence will always cost the aggressor far more than any imagined gains. And that no dictator, no matter how brutal, can break a nation that fights for its freedom.

I thank you, Mr. Chairperson.