Statement by the delegation of Ukraine at the UNGA meeting concerning the agenda item of the UN General Assembly’s 80th session “The situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine” 

12 September 2025

Madame President,

We thank the General Assembly for the adoption by consensus of the inclusion of the item “The situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine” in the agenda of its 80th session.

Just to remind that the decision to include this item on the agenda was made by the General Assembly itself.

In resolution A/77/229, “The situation of human rights in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine”, the Assembly, and I quote, “decided to include the item entitled ‘The situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine’ in the agenda of the General Assembly until the violations committed as a result of foreign occupation and control of parts of the territory of Ukraine are duly dealt with, and the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders is fully restored.”

The results of the vote called by the Russian Federation at the General Committee meeting on Wednesday with the intention to remove the item “The situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine” from the agenda of the 80th session speak for themselves.

19 members of the General Committee have supported keeping the item on the agenda. The lonely delegation – initiator of this senseless move who failed – was the Russian Federation.

This very General Assembly — the most representative UN body — has been consistently and unequivocally vocal about naming the aggression and rejecting any attempts to alter Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

All the relevant UNGA resolutions, particularly A/RES/68/262 “Territorial integrity of Ukraine” of 3 March 2014, and “Territorial integrity of Ukraine: defending the principles of the Charter of the United Nations” adopted on 12 October 2022, to name just a few – speak about the appropriateness.

Just last week, on 4 September, the General Assembly held a debate on this very item. The broad participation and strong engagement of member states underscored its significance. It has confirmed that the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine remains grave and requires the international community’s and this Assembly’s continued attention.

Madame President,

The Russian Federation’s attempt to challenge this item in the agenda clearly demonstrates that Russia exists in a self-constructed alternative reality, one in which the norms of international law have no effect, and in which it seeks to draw other states.

At a time when Russia continues its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it is more crucial than ever that this agenda item remain before the General Assembly.

It is our shared responsibility to ensure continued monitoring and accountability for violations of international law and the UN Charter.

We are grateful to all Member States who support retaining this item on the agenda of the General Assembly.

Thank you.