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Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine - Security Council, 10004th meeting
Amid an intensification of the war in Ukraine, “we cannot afford to lose the current, fragile diplomatic momentum”, the head of the United Nations told the Security Council today, as world leaders urged Moscow and Kyiv to pursue a diplomatic solution and reach a ceasefire.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned about an intensification of the fighting across Ukraine, and at times, into the Russian Federation. Ukrainian civilians continue to endure relentless bombardment — in their homes, schools, hospitals and shelters, he said, adding that critical civilian infrastructure is being destroyed with alarming regularity. The number of Russian Federation missiles and drones striking Ukrainian cities and towns has reached record levels.
Overall, over 14,000 civilians — including hundreds of children — have been killed in Ukraine and over 36,000 civilians have been injured, he continued. Civilians inside the Russian Federation are also increasingly affected. In Ukraine, massive strikes on energy infrastructure threaten to plunge millions into darkness and cold as they face a fourth winter at war. The threat to nuclear sites remains deeply concerning — particularly at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
On recent high-level diplomatic efforts, he commended the dedication and political will demonstrated by the United States and others seeking to enable diplomatic solutions. He also welcomed the direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul — which have led to the return of hundreds of prisoners of war. However, he stressed that “progress on a much-needed ceasefire and a lasting peaceful settlement remains painfully slow”.
Statements:
- President of the Council (as Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea)
- Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Slovenia
- Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Denmark
- Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, France
- Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and Vice Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Ahmed Attaf, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs, Algeria
- Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Guyana
- Marco A. Rubio, Secretary of State, United States of America
- Alexandra Papadopoulou, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Greece
- Syed Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Minister of State, Pakistan
- Javier Martínez Acha Vásquez, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Panama
- China
- Alan C. Logan, Director-General of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sierra Leone
and International Cooperation - Somalia
- Russian Federation
- Petr Pavel, President, Czech Republic
- Peter Pellegrini, President, Slovak Republic
- Alexander Stubb, President, Republic of Finland (on behalf of: Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden))
- Alar Karis, President, Republic of Estonia (on behalf of: Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania))
- Statement under Rule 39: His Excellency António Costa, President of the European Council
- Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, President of the Government, Spain
- Luc Frieden, Prime Minister, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (on behalf of: Benelux countries)
- Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Italy
