UNGA80 Third Committee

Statement by the delegation of Ukraine during the interactive dialogue 

with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Mr. Filippo Grandi

6 November 2025 

Chair,

The delegation of Ukraine expresses its sincere gratitude to the High Commissioner for his comprehensive briefing.

At a time when global displacement and humanitarian needs have reached record levels, UNHCR’s mandate is more vital than ever. Therefore, we underscore the importance of solidarity and partnership to ensure the Office can continue fulfilling its responsibilities effectively.

We are deeply concerned about the impact of funding shortfalls, including reductions in staff, operational presence, and field programmes, which constrain UNHCR’s ability to deliver. Difficult times call for difficult choices, yet it is essential to maintain operations in areas of greatest need and to prioritize support for the most vulnerable.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine remains one of the main drivers of forced displacement worldwide. As the war enters its fourth year, around ten million Ukrainians remain displaced, including 5.7 million abroad, while some 13 million require humanitarian assistance.

The escalation of Russia’s large-scale aerial assaults on peaceful Ukrainian cities continues to uproot civilians and intensify humanitarian suffering. In the first half of 2025 alone, civilian casualties rose by over fifty per cent due to Russia’s indiscriminate attacks.

As winter approaches, we are gravely concerned by Russia’s systematic strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. These deliberate attacks on essential services make daily life unbearable and force even more people to flee.

Ukraine strongly condemns these grave violations of international humanitarian law and war crimes. The perpetrators must be held accountable, and the suffering of the Ukrainian people must end.

We regret that funding constraints have led to a reduction in UNHCR’s activities in Ukraine this year. Nonetheless, even under difficult conditions, UNHCR has continued to reach hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians with life-saving assistance and protection, for which we are deeply grateful.

We call on UNHCR to sustain its presence wherever possible, focusing on the most vulnerable groups, especially internally displaced persons and returnees. We also urge the donor community to ensure adequate funding for UNHCR’s response plans in Ukraine amid growing humanitarian needs.

We welcome the European Union’s decision to extend temporary protection for over four million displaced Ukrainians until March 2027, and we express deep appreciation to EU Member States and other host countries for their continued hospitality and solidarity.

The vast majority of Ukrainians who fled abroad wish to return home once the root cause of their displacement—the Russian war of aggression—is addressed. We therefore call upon all peace-loving nations to support diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace for Ukraine.

The humanitarian and protection situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine remains dire. Ukrainians who refuse to accept Russian citizenship under coercion are being declared “foreigners” or “stateless persons,” deprived of social benefits, and exposed to deportation.

We categorically condemn the forced imposition of Russian citizenship in these territories, in clear violation of international law. Such unlawful actions have no legal effect on the citizens of Ukraine residing under occupation.

We urge the Russian Federation to comply fully with its obligations as an occupying Power and to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access for UNHCR and other organizations, in line with relevant UN resolutions and principles of impartial humanitarian assistance.

Finally, the delegation of Ukraine pays tribute to Mr. Filippo Grandi as he concludes his ten years of distinguished service as UN High Commissioner for Refugees. High Commissioner, you have been a steadfast advocate for displaced persons, including millions of affected Ukrainians. We recall with gratitude your visits to Ukraine, which helped shape timely and effective humanitarian responses. We extend our sincere appreciation and best wishes for your future endeavours.

Thank you.