Mister Chairperson,

More than two months have passed since we could have had a ceasefire.

Instead of that Moscow continues to put forward unrealistic conditions to prolong the war.

The Kremlin tries to discredit Ukraine and Europe, showing no willingness to take serious steps towards peace.

Rather than heeding the international community’s calls to end the war, to withdraw its troops, and to respect Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders, every day Russia claims human lives, inflicts suffering, ruins someone houses.

Last Saturday, Russia killed nine people and injured seven others.

The FPV drone attacked a civilian bus.

The minibus was carrying civilian evacuees from an area close to the frontline.

The following day, Russia launched a record number of Iranian Shaheds.

273 drones were aiming at the Kyiv, Dnipro and Donetsk regions.

As a result, a young, 27-year-old, woman was killed in the Kyiv region.

She saved her four-year-old son's life by covering him with her body.

The boy is still in the hospital.

Dear colleagues,

Each day like this is a stark reminder that Ukraine as no one else wants peace.

Each lost life is a call to actions. It demands from us to apply all possible tools to compel Russia to stop these killings and save the lives.

With this aim, Ukraine has fully supported the US proposal for an unconditional ceasefire.

Ukraine is also grateful to Turkiye for providing the opportunity for peace efforts and to all partners who are offering their support in this regard.

President Zelenskyy was even willing to meet Putin in person in Istanbul.

Sadly, Russia has once again chosen to turn this opportunity for peace into a missed chance.

The level of the Russian delegation, new unrealistic demands and even unacceptable threats could not have been more revealing.

Yet, Putin’s plan to present the Istanbul meeting as a continuation of the March 2022 talks has failed.

Despite Russia’s claims, the conditions and realities are different now.

Since 2022, Ukraine has liberated Kherson and the Kharkiv region.

Russia lost its flagship in the Black Sea and its fleet is locked in Novorossyisk.

More than 900 thousand of Russians were killed or wounded.

The Russian border itself has been left unprotected.

The Special Tribunal has been set in motion. Thanks to the Kremlin leadership, the Russian people may now be proud of their own Nuremberg.

Not to mention the numerous arrest warrants issued by the ICC.

The interest rate remains at 21%.

This speaks volumes that Russia’s economy is not in the best shape.

Foreign companies are not rushing to bring their money into Russia.

They remain wary of the risks related to Russia’s aggressive policies.

Russia’s military has become heavily dependent on Iran and North Korea.

Was launching the war of aggression against Ukraine worth it?

By rejecting offers of a ceasefire, what alternative is Putin proposing for Russia instead of peace?

Is it new “human waves”, with around 1000 casualties per day, to capture yet another ruined village?

Excellencies,

As President Zelenskyy stated, “Ukraine is ready for talks with Russia, in any format that yields results”.

And Ukraine insists on the need for a full and unconditional ceasefire.

At least, for 30 days – in the air, at sea, and on land.

If Russia is interested in diplomacy, the killing must stop.

If Russia truly desires peace, it is time to allow our people – deported children, detained civilians, including the three OSCE officials, and prisoners of war – to return home.

If Russia wants to end the war, it must finally recognize Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, instead of imposing unrealistic conditions.

As President Zelenskyy has said during his numerous contacts these days – “this is a crucial time […] to ensure that the war ends and a real, lasting peace comes”.

The Istanbul meeting has proved that the pressure and sanctions are working. That Moscow is afraid of the unity of the Free World.

Russia’s delaying tactics is yet another sign that we must set proper conditions to achieve peace.

And despite the Russians repeatedly stating that they are ready to fight for as long as it takes, let's not forget.

Every war is first of all about resources. Every war has its limits. The interest rate at 21%, as I mentioned before, shows that Russia is subject to the same economic laws.

Oil and gas are the Kremlin’s lifeline.

Oil and gas are the key to achieving a just and lasting peace.

We welcome the recent sanctions introduced by the UK and the EU, including against Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.

Further actions are needed, including implementing a $30 price cap on Russian oil.

And to prevent Russia from executing new military plans, it is high time to increase defense support for Ukraine, such as air defence, artillery shells, electronic warfare, drones and so on.

Colleagues, Ukraine has proven that it wants peace.

A peace that rests on the principles of international law, restores justice, protects human liау and sets a deterrent against would-be aggressors.

Ukraine stands ready to work towards achieving this.

We must strive for a peace that protects us from repeating past tragedies such as the genocide of the Crimean Tatars, the 81st anniversary of which we commemorated on 18 May.

And as last Sunday, in Ukraine, we honoured the memory of millions of victims of the Soviet repression, we must seek for a peace that will prevent filtration camps, torture, deportation, and political persecution from becoming a new reality in the 21st century.

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.