Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations Saša Jurečko at the Eleventh Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly on Ukraine

Thank you Mr. President.

At the outset, I would like to welcome the successful adoption of the resolution this morning. The overwhelming support it received reflects the international community’s support of Ukraine, its commitment to the integrity of the UN Charter, and the principles of territorial integrity and settling of disputes by peaceful means.

Mr. President,

Three years have passed since Russia started its unprovoked and illegal aggression against Ukraine, in blatant violation of international law.

For three years, we have been witnessing Russia’s systematic destruction of Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure including hospitals, schools, residential buildings and energy grids and a campaign of oppression of its citizens.

Three years of war have produced immense destruction and widespread damage to essential and civilian infrastructure. Deliberate attacks against the Ukrainian energy infrastructure have caused a severe energy shortfall. Some 10 % of Ukraine’s homes are estimated to have been damaged or destroyed. More than 800 hospitals were damaged and over 370 schools were destroyed.

Three years of war also amounted to immense human suffering. The toll on civilian lives is unbearable. Reports also show that every second Ukrainian citizen has been chronically affected by the war. Nearly two thirds of households are dealing with mental health challenges of their family members and hundreds of thousands of children are experiencing or are at risk of developing a post-traumatic stress disorder. The intense fighting has displaced over 6.9 million people and almost 13 million civilians are left in need of humanitarian assistance.

This is enough suffering and destruction for a lifetime and it needs to stop now. Each day this war continues, international humanitarian law is disregarded, violated and undermined. With each day, the integrity of the UN Charter is ever more at risk.

Mr. President,

We all want to see peace in Ukraine as soon as possible. But it matters greatly how the peace process ends. Russian aggression must stop. Ceasefire must be achieved and sufficient security guaranties for Ukraine ensured. Negotiations for just and lasting peace must be held with Ukraine and the European Union at the negotiating table. Any peace talks must be anchored in the principles that we have agreed to in the UN Charter, including the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of its member states. Slovenia is ready to support the endeavours to reach a just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter, which will aim to rebuild trust and bring about lasting peace and stability in eastern Europe.

A just and lasting peace also calls for accountability. Slovenia will therefore – in the General Assembly and elsewhere – continue to scrutinise the implementation of international law, particularly international humanitarian law and human rights law. We will continue to call for accountability for international crimes, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Mr. President,

Lasting peace is not just the absence of war but also the presence of justice, accountability, and the unwavering respect for international law. Slovenia stands ready to support such efforts to end the war in Ukraine bringing a long overdue peace to the Ukrainian people.

I thank you.

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