STATEMENT 

by the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN 

H.E. Dr. Ambassador Andrii Melnyk, LL.M.

during the UNICEF Executive Board meeting

with the Executive Director Russell

February 10th, 2026

Dear Mr. President Tammsaar,

Ukraine would like to congratulate you on your election and wish you all the success in guiding the Executive Board to meet the unprecedented challenges we face.

Dear Madam Executive Director Russell,

I am grateful for your strategic briefing and your leadership in skillfully navigating the stormy waters in which UNICEF must operate.

Ukraine highly values excellent cooperation with UNICEF and the contribution of the Fund in addressing the grave humanitarian consequences of Russia’s full-scale military invasion for millions and millions of Ukrainian children severely affected by this barbaric war.

In this sense, I wish to express my special appreciation for UNICEF’s dedicated mission in Ukraine, working under constant drone and missile attacks.

Your courageous colleagues must survive under the same unbearable conditions in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities as the whole civilian population — without electricity, without heating, and without running water, at minus 20 degrees Celsius.

Therefore, I wish to thank you personally, Madam Executive Director Russell, and the entire UNICEF team for alleviating the immeasurable suffering of Ukrainian children during these darkest times of Russia’s genocidal war.

Over 2 billion USD were devoted to a range of projects that UNICEF has implemented in Ukraine in the last 4 years of war.

Ukraine is worried that significant financial challenges now endanger UNICEF’s work, and we would like to appeal to Member States and all donors to increase their contributions.

Dear Executive Director Russell,

Before I conclude, I would like to raise one crucial issue where the role of UNICEF cannot be underestimated.

In December 2025, the General Assembly adopted a resolution demanding the immediate, safe, and unconditional return of all Ukrainian children who have been forcibly transferred or deported by Russia.

The Assembly has requested the Secretary-General to exercise his good offices to remain actively seized of the matter and to take all steps necessary with a view to ensuring the effective coordination of all relevant United Nations bodies with regard to the implementation of this crucial resolution.

Ukraine is fully aware of all the political difficulties in fulfilling this mandate.

We know that previous attempts of UNICEF to act as a mediator were rejected by Russia. Now we have this new historic chance.

It is in this context, we would like to request you, Mr. President, and the members of the Executive Board, to schedule a special briefing concerning practical steps that UNICEF is now planning and undertaking to help return thousands of Ukrainian children home.

I thank you.