I thank my friend, Secretary Lammy, for setting Russian aggression as a priority for the UK Presidency. This global threat demands global response.

When I departed for New York, Russia undertook one of the most massive air attacks against Ukraine. With my wife and children we had a sleepless night, just like thousands of other Ukrainian families.

About 90 drones and 120 missiles of all types across the country. Russia once again targeted civilians and energy infrastructure ahead of winter. Such strikes are a constant horrible reality in Ukraine.

This time, Russian missiles targeted our nuclear energy system. In particular, transmission substations, which are part of our nuclear power plants. Such Russian strikes create unacceptable risks for our nuclear safety and security. This is a danger not only for Ukraine, but for the entire world.

Russia’s massive missile attack is a response to all those who called and visited Putin recently. To those who shook his hand, held telephone talks with him, asked him for peace. He only wants war. And he will only stop when we stop him and force him to accept a just peace.

Tomorrow marks 1000 days since Russia’s full-scale invasion. In total, Russian aggression against Ukraine has already lasted more than ten years.

1000 days is a big number and it shows how urgent it is to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. It also shows the failure of existing international mechanisms and the need to update them.

Russian aggression harms not only Ukraine, but many more countries and people. It caused a number of global crises in food, energy, security, and other areas, affecting millions of people.

Today at the Security Council meeting I will speak about the price of this war for Ukraine and the world. The terrible price we have already paid. And the price we will have to pay if wrong decisions are taken now.

I will also explain why peace at any cost, or rather at the cost of the UN Charter, will not work. We need real and just peace and it can only be achieved through strength, not appeasement.

Russia creates global security threats by consolidating military alliances with such rogue states as Iran and the DPRK.

In February 2022, many experts predicted Ukraine's quick collapse and they were wrong. But none could have envisioned the presence of North Korean troops in Europe, fighting against a European country.

If not stopped, Russia will continue the proliferation of war. The Security Council must keep addressing the Russia crisis, including within the Council itself. I mean Russia’s illegal occupation of the Soviet permanent seat.

Ukraine’s stance is clear and well-known: comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the UN Charter. This is at the center of the Peace Formula.

This war is much larger than Ukraine. It will define the future of European and global security, the future of the international order. We must take the right steps and decisions. We must not repeat the mistakes of the past.

Recently, President Zelenskyy presented the Victory Plan as a tool to enforce the Peace Formula. We must take strong steps to compel Russia toward a just and lasting peace.

This is the “peace through strength” concept, and our joint efforts will help stop the aggression and achieve such peace. This is in the interest of us all. 

Thank you.