Statement by Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations Samuel Žbogar at the UNSC meeting on the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine

Thank you Madam President.

I would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Msuya for her briefing.

The death and destruction caused by this war are tremendous. We heard from Assistant Secretary-General Msuya about the numbers – 12,000 civilians killed, 30,000 civilians injured. The total estimated cost of reconstruction is assessed at almost 500 billion euros. The vast majority of attacks that caused this represent a direct violation of international humanitarian law. And they need to stop immediately.

After three long years of Russia’s war of aggression, the fighting does not seem to be diminishing. Each week hundreds of glide bombs and drones are deployed over Ukrainian cities. This year alone Ukraine has been a target of more than 4,000 air and drone strikes. Just this February, civilian casualties increased by 35 % compared to February last year. Humanitarian workers continue facing serious difficulties in accessing people in need, due to ongoing protection risks and movement restrictions.

Meanwhile, Russia’s missiles keep hitting civilian targets. Two weeks ago, for instance a cluster munitions missile hit a civilian cargo ship in Odessa, while it was loading wheat for Algeria.

What’s more, just few days ago a Russian missile attack hit a densely populated district in the border town of Sumy, damaging a children’s hospital and two schools, and causing dozens of casualties, many of them children.

Simultaneously, Russia was attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Slovenia is gravely concerned with the drone strike on the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant protective shield, bringing us, once more, inches away from a nuclear accident. Such an event would have catastrophic consequences for Ukraine and the wider region. This Council should make every effort to prevent it from happening.

Madam President,

These attacks must stop. The killing needs to stop. Ukraine needs peace, and the whole of Europe needs peace. We have only one ask in relation to this – that the peace be in line with the UN Charter.

Slovenia welcomes efforts of the United States to launch peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, and the proposal for a ceasefire and moratorium on attacks in the Black Sea.

We remain hopeful this is the first step towards a verifiable and lasting cessation of hostilities that will lead to enduring peace in Ukraine.

We obviously still have some lengths to go and we hope that also in this chamber we will soon hear the language of peace and diplomacy.

There has never been any other option for Slovenia, but to advocate for peace. A path to peace. We will continue working in this Council, and elsewhere, towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia.

Slovenia wants peace and a sense of security to return to Europe.

Thank you.

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