Mister Chairperson,

Amid escalating reckless attacks on Ukraine, Russia has intensified its disinformation campaign.

For a few meetings in a row, Russia, as usually, has been manipulating quotes in an attempt to shift the blame for the prolongation of the war, which, in fact, is the unprovoked and illegal aggression of Russia’s choice.

Such a manipulative approach may be useful to create a smoking screen for Russia’s war efforts. However, it is detrimental to the general cause of peace.

So, let me set the record straight by quoting what a Ukrainian representative [David Arakhamia] actually said about the 2022 talks. I quote.

“The Russian delegation, in my opinion, really hoped until the last moment that [Ukraine] would be PRESSURED into signing such an agreement, that [Ukraine] would declare neutrality. This was the most important thing for them. […] In order to agree, […] there must be trust in the Russians, but there has never been any […] We could not sign anything. If we had withdrawn, everyone would have relaxed, and then the [Russians] would have returned more prepared, because they were, in fact, unprepared for such resistance. We could only work if there were one hundred per cent of certainty that this [aggression] would not happen again, but there is no such certainty […]”. End of quote. He also clarified that those who were speaking about external influence were only those people who wanted to twist any event for political purposes. As they are trying now.

Clearly, Ukraine made the sovereign choice not to accept Russia’s ultimatums.

We knew that Russia would not respect the agreement. If Ukraine was left weak and isolated, we knew that Moscow would come back to erase our identity.

So, neither manipulation with quotes nor falsification of facts, as the Russian delegation did with newspapers at one of the FSC meetings, will change a reality – that only Russia is responsible for this war.

Have Russia’s intentions to dismantle the Ukrainian state changed since then? Absolutely not.

Doesn’t Russia’s demand for Ukraine’s neutrality and so-called demilitarization effectively amount to the surrender and destruction of Ukraine? Yes, absolutely.

Vladimir Putin made this very clear when he said, I quote, “Ukraine would have a week left to live if weapons supplies stopped tomorrow”.

This Russia’s threat must be taken seriously and literally. For Ukrainians, it would mean filtration, torture and summary execution, simply for desire to live in an independent state and for resisting the aggression and occupation. The torture chambers discovered in the liberated areas are a stark reminder about Russia’s true genocidal intentions.

Neither should we forget that Russia attacked and occupied Crimea and parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions when Ukraine was a neutral country according to law.

Today, Moscow is demanding something that it did not respect in the past. Will Russia in the future?

Can we trust Russia's words about their commitment to peace after what happened in Mariupol, Bucha and Izium, after the killing of children at a playground in Kryviy Rih, the attack on Sumy on Palm Sunday and the ongoing missile and drone barrage in recent days? Definitely not.

Does Ukraine need security guarantees to prevent Russian aggression in the future? Absolutely.

A few days ago, Russian minister Lavrov just confirmed this. I quote.

“We cannot leave people under the rule of the regime that is [in Ukraine] now. If the [Ukrainian] government […] is counting on the fact that somehow an agreement will be reached to stop the hostilities, and what is left of Ukraine will live under the laws they have made - this is an illusion. We cannot allow this to happen under any circumstances”.

Could the Russian minister have made the Kremlin’s future plans any clearer?

Don’t his words prove that Ukraine must be strong, independent, and integrated into European and Euro-Atlantic structures to ensure peace and stability in Europe for future generations?

Your Excellencies,

The summer seems to be difficult, as Russia remains focused on the war.

The aggressive rhetoric of Russian officials testifies to that.

Vladimir Putin has mentioned about a “buffer zone” again.

Now Russia, reportedly, has amassed around 50,000 troops in the vicinity of the Sumy region.

His previous idea to create a “sanitation zone” resulted in the FAILED Kharkiv offensive launched a year ago, in which thousands of Russian soldiers were killed or wounded.

Has the Kharkiv adventure taught them nothing?

Neither Russia is giving up its terror efforts, despite of the three years of failed attempts to break the will of Ukrainians to resist.

In just a few days, over 1,000 attack drones were launched against Ukraine, along with ballistic and cruise missiles.

For example, on the night of 24 May, the attack included 14 ballistic missiles and 250 drones.

The following night, Russia launched nine ballistic missiles, 56 cruise missiles, four guided missiles and 298 drones.

On the night of 26 May, Russia fired, so far, a record number of 355 drones and nine cruise missiles.

On 27 May, Russia launched 60 drones.

On the night of 28 May, Ukraine was attacked with five ballistic missiles and 88 drones.

These terrorist attacks resulted in the deaths of dozens of civilians and left more than a hundred people injured. One family lost all three of their children.

As President Zelenskyy said, “There is no military logic in these attacks, but it is a clear political choice of Russia – the choice to keep waging the war”.

On 25 of May the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reminded that “the use of a wide variety of long-range weapons in urban areas by Russia significantly contributed to the high number of civilian casualties in March and April this year”.

Just yesterday the UN Commission has concluded that Russia’s drone attacks against civilians in the Kherson region amount to crimes against humanity. The Ukrainian delegation repeatedly mentioned about this “human safari” conducted by Russia. We believe that the OSCE will react appropriately, as well.

It is particularly cynical that the attacks took place against the backdrop of active peace efforts by Ukraine and international partners, and calls for a full and unconditional ceasefire.

It is regrettably, but Russia wants to make this reality a new normal.

That the aggression can last without accountability. That the killing of the innocent can continue unabated. That Russia can act with impunity just because it is Russia.

But let’s make no mistake.

The past years have shown that the reality can be shaped by our actions.

Our joint strategy of countering Russia’s aggression has proven to be effective.

This strategy has exposed all the weaknesses and limits of Russia’s economy.

After three years of fighting, Russia is dependent on personnel from North Korea, weapons from Iran and equipment from China. It also depends on revenues from its “shadow fleet”. This is Russia’s lifeline.

So, an increase in Russian strikes should be met with increased sanctions.

Additional air defence systems would save lives against an intensified barrage of missiles and drones.

Restricting Russia’s oil trade would encourage Moscow to take diplomacy more seriously.

Colleagues, this summer could be decisive for our peace efforts. If enough pressure is exerted on Russia.

Let me reiterate, Ukraine as no one else in the world wants peace and freedom for our people.

These days, a thousand of our people became free. However, all deported children, POWs and detained civilians must return home.

Over the recent months Ukraine has repeatedly confirmed its readiness to work towards achieving peace.

Following up on the meeting in Turkiye on May 16, Ukraine has already handed over a document, which reflects the Ukrainian position.

We reaffirm Ukraine’s readiness for a full and unconditional ceasefire and continued diplomatic engagement.

We anticipate that Russia will stop its delaying tactics and submit their proposal for our consideration, as previously agreed.

Diplomacy must be substantive to yield results for peace.

A just peace not a capitulation.

A peace that based on the principles of international law, including the respect for the territorial integrity and human life, not on the aggressor’s ultimatums.

The recent Russia’s attacks have shown once again – only our strength can stop this war.

I thank you, Mr. Chairperson.