Minister Budrys at the UN Security Council: Baltic states call on Russia to end war against Ukraine
On 23 September, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys, spoke on behalf of the Baltic states at the United Nations (UN) Security Council meeting on Ukraine. In his speech, the Minister stated that Russia continues to escalate military actions against Ukraine, and the consequences of the war are felt not only in Ukraine, but also throughout Europe and beyond.
"Despite calls from the international community, Russia has shown no will to give up the war. Attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure are intensifying, and civilians continue to pay the highest price," said Budrys.
The Minister pointed out that, according to data from the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission, more civilians were killed and injured in Ukraine during the first eight months of 2026 than in all of 2025.
On behalf of the Baltic states, the Minister also condemned Russia’s actions outside Ukraine – drone incursions, sabotage, arson and disinformation.
"We cannot remain silent observers. Our nations remember Russian occupations too well," he stressed.
The Minister emphasized that the Baltic states do not and will not recognize the so-called elections organized by Russia in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and their results. According to him, defending Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity is inseparable from the principles of international law and the UN Charter.
The Baltic states also supported efforts to bring the war to an end and called on Russia to respond to Ukraine’s readiness for high-level negotiations. The statement emphasized that the peace process must ensure the return of prisoners of war and unlawfully detained persons, the safe return of civilians—especially children—and accountability for the crime of aggression, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
“The Baltic states remain firmly committed to a just and lasting peace, as well as to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders,” emphasized Budrys.
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