An emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council was held in New York, convened at Russia’s request under the pretext of discussing “threats to international peace and security.” Ukraine’s Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, Khrystyna Hayovyshyn, also participated in the session, calling the discussion topic a cynical move by the aggressor amid new civilian casualties. Her speech came in response to the massive Russian attack on the night of July 30–31, which targeted Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, killing and injuring civilians.
This was reported by the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations.
On the night before the meeting, Russia launched 8 cruise missiles and 309 attack drones against Ukraine. The targets included residential buildings, hospitals, and kindergartens.
“The Security Council must convene to discuss real problems—threats to international peace and security. And the name of that real problem is written on one of these plaques: the Russian Federation. There are not two sides attacking civilians. There is one country—Russia. One enemy of peace and security in Ukraine, in our region, and in the world,” said Hayovyshyn.
The diplomat described Russia’s initiative to call the meeting as cynical and morally repugnant:
“Today’s meeting, convened at the request of the Russian Federation, is both cynical and morally repulsive. A state that has launched the largest war of aggression in Europe since World War II is now trying to portray itself as a victim of so-called ‘Western interference.’”
In her speech, Hayovyshyn reminded the Council of the two phases of Russian aggression: the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the full-scale invasion in 2022. She stressed: “Russia continues its illegal occupation of Ukrainian territory, bombs cities, destroys civilian infrastructure, and kills innocent people every single day.”
She also highlighted Russia’s growing military cooperation with authoritarian regimes such as Iran, North Korea, and certain Chinese companies:
“Since 2022, Iran has supplied Russia with hundreds of attack drones, blatantly violating UN Security Council Resolution 2231. This impunity emboldens others—including North Korea… Russia’s war machine is now sustained by Iran and the DPRK. Moscow also receives drones, missiles, ammunition, dual-use goods, and equipment from Chinese companies,” she stated.
Hayovyshyn emphasized that Russia’s war has nothing to do with its declared objectives:
“This war is, in truth, about the survival of the Kremlin’s authoritarian regime… and about Russia’s imperial ambitions to erase Ukraine from the political map of the world and destroy the Ukrainian nation.”
She noted that the Kremlin is continuing the war at enormous human cost, losing more than 1,000 soldiers daily, with over one million military losses already. “The Kremlin does not value its people—and is willing to sacrifice even more,” she said.
Addressing the Security Council, Hayovyshyn urged member states to support a French-initiated resolution for a full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire. She stressed that peace cannot be achieved by appeasing the aggressor.
Hayovyshyn also issued a broader appeal to the international community:
“The only way to end this war is to stop Russia—economically, through sanctions; politically and militarily. Russia must be demilitarized. It is a threat to all of you.”
In closing, she urged Council members not to fear Russia or fall victim to its blackmail:
“Do not fear Russia. Do not be misled by its propaganda or paralyzed by its threats… Let us do everything so that a year from now, we gather here not to count new victims, but to celebrate the restoration of peace, justice, and security—not only for Ukraine, but for the entire international system.”
Photo: UN Photo / Manuel Elias
Author: Inna Mikhno