Chancellor of the Government at the UN Security Council: ignoring Russia’s aggression threatens the future of many countries and the international order
On July 17, during a high-level meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the peace and security in Ukraine, Chancellor of the Government Giedrė Balčytytė, on behalf of the Baltic States, condemned Russia’s crimes and aggression against Ukraine, as well as Russia’s recent unilateral decision to withdraw from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
Today, Russia cynically continues its war of aggression and shows no signs of stopping, stated the Chancellor in her address to the Security Council.
“Russia's manipulation of internationally agreed rules and facts, violation of the UN Charter and other international agreements, abuse of international structures, weaponization of disinformation, and use of brutal force sets a precedent for future atrocities. If Russia’s actions are ignored and legitimized this time, the future of many countries that have built peace, prosperity, and sovereignty due to the rules-based world order becomes at risk,” said the Chancellor of the Government.
“Ukrainian Peace formula is the guideline we should follow in seeking just and sustainable peace, and Ukraine must have the final say on peace on its’ soil,” Chancellor Balčytytė stressed at the Security Council meeting.
The statement, read on behalf of the Baltic States, also condemns Russia’s war crimes against Ukraine, as well as the support extended by Belarus and Iran to Russian aggression. The statement emphasized the continued support of the Baltic States, the EU, and NATO for Ukraine and called on the international community to continue to mobilise all efforts to help Ukraine win the war launched by Russia.
The Chancellor also reiterated the strong support of the Baltic States for Ukraine’s initiative to establish a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
On behalf of the three Baltic States, Ms. Balčytytė firmly condemned Russia’s decision to withdraw from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
“We strongly condemn Russia for unilaterally abandoning the Black Sea Grain Initiative. This only proves once again that Russia does not care at all about the global food security crisis,” the Chancellor said.
The high-level meeting of the United Nations Security Council was held at the initiative of the UK, which is presiding over the council this month. It was attended by the Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Hungary, Poland, Germany, Luxembourg and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba.