Statement by

Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN H.E. Dr. Andrii Melnyk 

at the Open Debate of the UNSC on Children and Armed Conflict

25 June 2025

 

Madam President,

Let me thank the Guyanese Presidency and Her Excellency Dr. Vindhya Vasini Persaud, Minister of Human Services and Social Security for convening this debate, as well as all the distinguished briefers for their powerful contributions.

Ukraine is grateful to Special Representative Virginia Gamba for her dedicated work and close cooperation, particularly under the Joint Prevention Plan.

We further commend UNICEF for its unwavering service under extraordinarily difficult conditions.

Distinguished Members of the Council,

The report before us paints a devastating picture — the highest number of grave violations against children ever recorded.

Ukraine welcomes this report and thanks the Secretary-General for shedding light on soul-shaking truths that must not leave any of us indifferent.

It spells out in black and white what many have tried to disregard.

The Russian Federation not only failed to prevent harm to children in Ukraine. Its armed forces escalated brutal attacks on densely populated areas. As a result, the number of grave violations committed by Russian troops rose by an appalling 105 percent.

Yet sadly, the report includes unverified allegations of child casualties in Russia — while ignoring at least 16 documented cases of sexual violence against children by Russian forces that were officially submitted by Ukraine.

Madam President,

We commend the Secretary-General’s decision to list the armed forces of the Russian Federation as a persistent perpetrator of grave violations against children in Ukraine — for the third consecutive year. What a disgrace.

In line with relevant UN guidelines, we call on the Secretariat to suspend Russia’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations, including troop or police contributions, until its armed forces are delisted.

Distinguished Members of the Council,

It is a painful truth that this Council’s resolutions on the protection of children in armed conflict are increasingly treated with indifference by states that continue to wage ruthless wars. The obligations we’ve set forth are being dismissed. Appeals for compliance are brushed aside — like whispers in the wind.

Ukraine believes the time has come for this Council to respond with resolve — by adopting a new resolution that introduces stronger, enforceable measures against those who blatantly violate children’s rights and provides redress to affected families.

Let me offer three creative yet practical proposals for this Council’s consideration:

First: Let us end impunity for repeat offenders. Parties consistently listed by the Secretary-General must face automatic consequences — including targeted sanctions.

Second: Let us punish individual perpetrators. Accountability must go beyond groups and institutions. We propose the establishment of an UN-administered blacklist of individual commanders, military and paramilitary leaders responsible for grave violations against children — with asset freezes, travel bans, and other personal sanctions.

Third: Let us consider establishing a Child Victims Compensation Fund. Those states responsible for grave violations must be obligated to make payments to support child victims and their families. If they refuse, the enforcement measures should be the Council should authorize the freezing of national assets to fulfill this obligation.

Ukraine stands ready to actively contribute to this agenda, including in close coordination with Greece, which currently chairs the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict.

And my last point: To stop children from being killed and maimed in Ukraine, we need one simple thing - there must be a full, unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days as a first step towards comprehensive, just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter.

And we call upon Russia to free and return tens of thousands deported Ukrainian children - unconditionally and without delay.

And before I conclude just one final remark. Russia’s representative has kept spreading lies in this Council. Maybe they believe that the bigger the lie, the more people might believe it. This trick is not going to work here. I appeal to the representative of Russia to cease abusing the Council.

Facts in the SG’s report are very stubborn things. They speak for themselves. So please spare us your fantasy novel. George Orwell would be turning in his grave at such distortion of truth.

Thank you for your attention.