Mister Chairperson,

It has been 100 days since Ukraine has agreed to the US proposal for a full and comprehensive ceasefire.

Instead of peace, these days will be remembered for Russia’s bloodiest attacks.

These include the massacre of children at the playground in Kryvyi Rih, missile terror against civilians in Sumy on Palm Sunday, never ending relentless attacks on Kharkiv, human safari in Kherson, the most recent drone barrages on peaceful cities across Ukraine and many more crimes.

Just two days ago, during the G7 Summit, Russia’s massive aerial attack claimed 28 lives in Kyiv and left more than 130 people wounded.

Could the contrast between the rules-based order and crime-driven chaos be greater?

On that day Russia launched 440 drones and 32 missiles, some of which were equipped with cluster munitions.

There were direct hits on a residential building by Iranian drones. Russia’s missile destroyed an entire section of another residential building in Kyiv.

Clearly, it was a deliberate and pre-planned campaign of terror against civilians.

According to the Ukrainian NGO New Europe – Russia has almost doubled air attacks amid the peace discussions.

Could Russia have shown more disregard for international peace efforts?

This is how Russia wants to gain a leverage in the talks. By killing the innocent people. By destroying critical infrastructure. By targeting Ukraine's energy system as it happened this week in Kremenchuk.

Russia is planning further attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector. Nuclear power infrastructure is also at risk.

This information has been duly communicated to the IAEA.

These continuous attacks have implications in many domains. Including in an environmental one.

According to the Ministry of Ecology, approximately 1,900 tons of harmful substances were released into the air between 6 and 10 June, when Kyiv and the surrounding area were once again at the centre of Russia’s attacks.

And that was just in one region in a few days. However, pollution knows no regional or national borders. It affects all of us.

That said, I would like to thank the Chairpersonship for keeping the focus of the recent Climate conference on Russia’s war and its environmental impact.

Obviously, Russia is weaponizing environment and deliberately aiming to create conditions unbearable for life in Ukraine.

Moreover, Russia’s aggression is becoming even more toxic.

Russia’s blatant violation of the Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare cast a shadow over its 100th anniversary marked a few days ago.

As of now, 9,388 cases have been documented of Russia using hazardous chemical substances on the battlefield.

As the Russian Federation continues to flagrantly violate international law, ensuring of accountability has become even more urgent and relevant.

Esteemed colleagues,

Ukraine has never wanted this war. And Ukraine, as no one else in the world, wants this war to end.

However, Russia has taken no constructive steps towards peace during these 100 days.

Russia continues to reject the US proposal for an unconditional ceasefire.

Russia issues ultimatums that are unacceptable to any sovereign state.

Russia ignores Ukrainian constructive proposals.

Russia avoids a meeting of leaders that could pave the way to peace.

Russia delays the return of children according to a list provided by Ukraine.

Moreover, attempts to deny the number of deported children speak volumes.

So, let me set the record straight.

The Istanbul list is a confidence-building measure to test whether Russia is willing to move forward constructively.

This is just a small part of over 19,500 reports proceeded by Ukraine. The possible real figures are staggering.

In July 2023, Maria Lvova-Belova, a person wanted by the ICC, publicly stated that Russia had accepted 744,000 Ukrainian children since its invasion.

Moreover, according to our assessment, approximately 1,6 million children are still living in areas occupied by Russian.

They are subject to forced russification, military indoctrination, and erasure of their personal identity.

Regrettably, Russia is doing everything possible to conceal these numbers and is refusing to provide all the relevant data required by IHL.

If Russia is sincere about peace, as they claim, why does it continue this heinous war against children?

Or could Russia’s new attempt to portray itself as a “peace mediator” hide the truth that Moscow, Tehran and Pyongyang are working together to destabilize Europe, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific region?

The transfer of production of Iranian drones - upgraded in attacks on Ukraine – to North Korea is the latest example of their malicious bonds.

Both, Iran and Russia, have learnt how to sell their oil in shadow to fund their war machines.

Moscow and Pyongyang intensified their military cooperation, North Korea has conducted a number of tests on ballistic and cruise missiles, improving their performance and range.

Hasn’t Russia played a role in this process?

And as DPRK is likely to continue its nuclear program, shouldn’t the international community be concerned about the proliferation of means of delivery?

And what kind of support and technologies did Moscow offered to Tehran in exchange for Iran’s support in its war against Ukraine, in particular for supplies of Shahed drones?

All of this demonstrates that Russia cannot be trusted by its word.

It shows that there is no alternative to increasing pressure on Russia.

The fact that despite of its enormous losses, exceeding one million of killed and wounded, Russia has not achieved a single strategic goal of its invasion exposes the limits of its war machine.

That’s why, increasing pressure on Russia and raising the cost of its aggression is worthwhile to stop this senseless killing, tear apart the alliance of chaos comprising of Russia, Iran and North Korea.

It would also reinforce the principles, on which our security and prosperity are grounded.

Tough sanctions, in particular against Russia’s energy and banking sectors, strengthened Ukraine’s capabilities, including with modern air defense systems, and limited Kremlin’s oil export revenues would be a true gamechanger bringing us closer to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace.

To conclude, I want to thank the OSCE Troika for their very strong statement urging Russia to stop its ruthless attacks on our peaceful cities, immediately end its war of aggression and agree to an unconditional truce, as Ukraine has done.

We would also like to express our gratitude to the G7 for their commitment to exploring all options to maximise pressure on Russia, including financial sanctions.

For its part, Ukraine is committed to working with all its partners to achieve comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on fundamental principles of international law.

I thank you, Mr. Chairperson.