Poland in the UN

On November 18, 2024, Poland participated in the UN Security Council briefing on the situation in Ukraine.

The full statement delivered by Krzysztof Szczerski, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Poland to the UN in New York, is available below:

Mister President, Excellencies,

I would like to thank USG Rosemary DiCarlo for her informative, yet sobering, briefing.

Poland aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union.

We are approaching a tragic milestone: one thousand days since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter. Moscow continues to flout the most basic rules of international conduct, seeking support from third states and involving them in its aggression. Therefore, this war not only threatens regional stability and global security but also exacerbates the world's most pressing political and economic problems, including the disruption of food supply chains.

Russia's relentless onslaught against Ukraine escalated this weekend with one of the largest aerial attacks in recent months. Targeting critical energy infrastructure across the country, Russia caused widespread power outages, significant property damage, and tragically, the loss of innocent lives. This barbaric act demonstrates a blatant disregard for international law and the suffering of the Ukrainian people. Such attacks not only inflict immense physical and psychological harm but also aim to undermine Ukraine's resilience as the harsh winter approaches. The looming energy crisis in Ukraine is further aggravated by the nuclear threat arising from the situation around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

Poland unequivocally condemns these heinous atrocities and demands an immediate end to Russia's brutal war.

We also remind Russia that attacks directed against civilians, including stealing children, and destroying civilian objects, as well as indiscriminate attacks on densely populated areas, are clear violations of international humanitarian law and constitute war crimes. Those responsible must be held accountable, and justice must be served.

Russian propaganda inverts reality, twisting the definitions of victim and aggressor. This blatant distortion directly contradicts UN General Assembly Resolutions, which unequivocally recognized this war as Russian aggression and condemned it. In this context, we reiterate that through its defensive operations to diminish Russia’s capacity to wage its illegal war, Ukraine is exercising its inherent right to self-defense, in full compliance with international law and as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Mister President,

Everyone yearns for a new chance at peace. However, any peace agreement must be forged through consent. No one should be compelled to accept a peace that does not align with interests or aspirations of the victim.

That being said, let me be very clear: there is no shortcut to peace. A just and lasting resolution must be agreed upon with Ukraine, with the participation of the affected countries and support of the international community. Any other path will only lead to potential further suffering and instability.

I thank you.