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STATEMENT

by Chargée d’Affaires Khrystyna Hayovyshyn 

at the meeting of the UN General Assembly on Russia’s veto against amendments to UNSC resolution 2774

(6 March 2025)

Mr. President,

Ukraine has aligned with the statements delivered by the European Union and Liechtenstein on behalf of the group of the UN Members States. We would like to add few remarks in our national capacity.

As an initial co-sponsor of the resolution 76/262 that established the standing mechanism and thus strengthened the role of the General Assembly in a situation when a veto is cast in the Security Council, Ukraine welcomes the fact that this initiative became a vital part in our working practices.

The issue of the use of veto has always been of particular importance for Ukraine and those Member States who uphold the Charter of the United Nations and its principles.

The Russian Federation’s behavior in the Council, following its aggression against Ukraine, is the most vivid example of how detrimental the misuse of veto could be for the Council’s capacities to respond effectively to threats to peace and acts of aggression.

All draft resolutions that the UN Security Council attempted to adopt in response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine since 2014 to 2024 were vetoed by the Russian Federation. In particular, draft resolutions on condemnation of the Russian Federations aggression against Ukraine and attempted annexation of the sovereign territories of Ukraine.

The most recent case of Russia’s veto took place on 24 February when the Security Council considered amendments to UNSC resolution 2774.

These amendments, proposed by the Security Council members Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom, would have contributed to bringing the text of this resolution in line with the Charter of the United Nations and reaffirming the commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

As a result, the adopted UN Security Council resolution 2774 (2025) lacks essential elements, particularly the classification of the war as an act of aggression by one Member State against another. It fails to fully reflect the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

Thus, the Russian Federation abuses its veto right either to block the SC decisions designed to address its aggression or, as we have seen recently, block those proposals that contribute to just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the UN Charter.

Particularly noteworthy that the voting in the Security Council was preceded by the General Assembly’s adoption of the resolution “Advancing comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine” that conveyed a clear, resolute stance of the international community. However, this position was not adequately reflected in the Security Council.

Mr. President,

Ukraine remains a firm supporter of existing initiatives aiming at limiting the use of veto and strengthening the responsibility for its cast, notably the Code of Conduct Regarding Security Council Action Against Genocide, Crimes Against Humanity or War Crimes, prepared by the ACT Group, as well as Franco-Mexican initiative on the Suspension of Veto.

We should not tolerate on-going ignorance of the principle contained in the Article 27(3) of the UN Charter, envisaging that in decisions under Chapter VI, and under paragraph 3 of Article 52, a party to a dispute shall abstain from voting. This is an important tool to prevent immobilization of the Security Council since the early stages of a situation of concern.

The use of the veto should also be restricted when a permanent member is directly involved in the conflict under consideration of the Council, and, therefore, cannot be expected to exercise its voting rights and privileges in an impartial manner.

We encourage the General Assembly to continue exploring ways of further improvement of the Assembly’s toolbox and ability to help the Security Council in case the casting vetoes. We encourage those Member States that have not yet joined the veto initiative to do so.

Mr. President,

Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians. Peace must be real, not just a word. It must be just, reliable and lasting, and this can only be achieved through strong and long-term security guarantees – for Ukraine, Europe, and the entire world.

Thank you.