Mister Chairperson,

11 July marked four months since Ukraine has unconditionally accepted the US proposal for a full ceasefire.

Instead, Russia continues the killing of civilians, missile terror and indiscriminate attacks unabated.

On 11 July Russia damaged three medical facilities in Kharkiv, including a maternity hospital. Three newborns were diagnosed with an “acute stress reaction”.

The following day, Ukraine was rained with 597 Shaheds and 26 Kh-101 cruise missiles.

Two people were killed and 26 injured in Chernivtsi. 10 people were affected in the Lviv region, and three in Kharkiv.

On 14 July, Russia attacked an educational institution and a hospital in Sumy. Four people were injured.

On 16 July, the Vinnytsia, Dnipro, Kharkiv and Odesa regions were massively attacked. 15 people were injured, including a child.

And ODIHR’s interim report and its findings presented yesterday is a grim reminder why we must use every possible tool at our disposal to force Russia to choose peace and to agree to a just end of the war.

That there are no more the highest monthly civilian casualties in three years with 232 people killed and 1 343 injured. As reported by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission for June.

That all deported children are safely returned to Ukraine.

That the Ukrainians to be able to sleep soundly at night, and we never want to read another UNICEF study reporting that 61% of parents say their children are showing signs of stress and sleep disturbances.

That there are no prosecutions and convictions of civilians on trumped-up charges for expressing their national identity in the occupied territories and that all the civilian hostages are finally released by Russia.

That the widespread and systematic use of torture by Russia against detained Ukrainian civilians and POWs is stopped and that the universal norms of the Geneva conventions are effectively reinforced.

That sexual violence is not used as a tool of the war and all perpetrators are held to account in order to ensure justice for the victims.

That the access to basic services, including life-saving services, does not depend on the acquisition of Russian passport as Moscow attempts to forcibly alter the status of Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia in violation of IHL.

That schools resume their educational function and are no longer used by the aggressor to brainwash and military indoctrinate children.

I would like to commend ODIHR once again for their important work, which will contribute to justice and accountability.

The inevitability of both is an essential element of achieving a just and lasting peace.

Furthermore, on 15 July, the Parliament of Ukraine ratified the agreement with the Council of Europe for the establishment of a Special Tribunal.

This decision was supported by a constitutional majority.

The Special Tribunal will have a very specific mandate.

It will focus on senior political and military leaders responsible for planning, preparing, initiating or executing the crime of aggression against Ukraine.

Despite the claims of the Russian diplomats that all evidence is fake, as we heard last time, killed civilians, deported children, tortured POWs are not fakes – they were or are real human beings.

The attempts to annex by the use of force of Crimea, the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions are the facts reiterated by the Kremlin’s current ultimatums.

The ruined cities and communities as a result of Russia’s bombardment will remain a scourge of this war for decades.

The action of Belarus allowing its territory to be used to attack Ukraine, as well as the dispatchment by North Korea of its personnel not only further contribute to the definition of the crime, but also make these countries the aggressor’s accomplices.

And the fact that more than one million Russians have been killed and wounded because of the false interests and personal ambitions of the Kremlin leadership can hardly be ignored.

The UN resolution 3314 on the Definition of Aggression provides even more criteria that could describe Russian actions.

The criminal code of the Russian Federation itself, specifically article 353, includes concrete sanctions for those responsible for this most serious international crime against peace

However, whatever the Russian diplomats claim today, we know how they will act in the future.

They will simply repudiate their statements, as they did last time when they were quoted word for word by the distinguished Ambassador of Canada.

It is clear, the war of aggression never brings glory and recognition – only dishonour, deaths and destruction.

Regretfully, instead of engaging in serious talks, Russia continues rejecting offers of peace.

According to Dmitry Medvedev, Putin’s confident, for the Kremlin these offers are just “a theatrical ultimatum” and “Russia does not care”. As simply as it is.

The recent visit of Sergei Lavrov to DPRK sends a clear message. Russia wants to prolong the war.

Moreover, Russia intends to act as a proxy for those seeking to challenge the current international order.

Russia is prepared to promote the interests of pariah states by providing them with combat experience and undermining the global sanctions regime.

It is time to stop these senseless killings and prevent further violations of international peace.

Only reinforced transatlantic unity, new sanctions, an efficient cap on Russia’s energy revenues and military supplies for Ukraine, including an air defense shield, can effectively change the Kremlin's calculations.

This would ensure that Russia engages in peace talks in good faith and that the core principles of international law, including those of the Helsinki Final Act — sovereignty, territorial integrity, the inviolability of borders and respect for human rights – are defended.

This would also send a powerful message globally – that the aggression never pays off.

Esteemed colleagues,

On July 15, we marked an important day. The Day of our Statehood. Or the Day of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus–Ukraine.

As President Zelenskyy said, “This day is about connection. About every stage of our statehood and about the bond that unites dozens of generations: those who lived in this land a thousand years ago and those who live here today [...] And on this land, life always triumphs. Values and our character prevail – the best in our people, who, despite war, tears, and pain, have preserved their humanity, and who protect one another, which means they protect their state”. […] today we are simply people who are defending our home, our home, and we cannot do otherwise because we do not want it to be otherwise. We don't want Russia to be [in Ukraine]”.

This Day also shows the futility of past Moscow’s efforts to assimilate the Ukrainian people by force and current attempts to manipulate and falsify history.

The idea of the Ukrainian statehood has endured through the centuries of repression, attempts to erase the Ukrainian national identity and even genocidal policies.

And we are grateful to each and every participating State for helping Ukraine to defend itself, according to article 51 of the UN Charter.

Because we all care. About human life. About principles. About the future of our children.

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.