The President at the UNGA: My message is clear – we cannot allow aggression to prevail

On Tuesday, President Gitanas Nausėda addressed world leaders at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

In his speech, the President focused on the threat posed by Russia's war in Ukraine to international order and global security. He emphasized that the international community must act in unity to stop aggression, and that the principles of the UN Charter must remain unshakable. The President also highlighted the need to strengthen the effectiveness of the United Nations and ensure that the organization plays a fundamental role in defending peace, sustainable development and human rights.

"Our message must be simple and straightforward: aggression cannot win, and the principles of the UN Charter must prevail. We must respond to today's geopolitical situation," the President stated.

Gitanas Nausėda underlined that Ukraine's borders are not up for negotiation and attempts to redraw them by force are unacceptable. Lithuania will never recognize Russia's illegal occupation and annexation of Ukrainian territory.

The President called on the international community to maintain strong political, military, humanitarian, and economic support for Ukraine. He noted that Lithuania has already provided more than 1 billion euros in assistance, half of which is allocated to reconstruction and long-term recovery.

"Peace will never be sustainable without justice. Accountability must have real consequences - legal, political and financial," the President said, calling on states to support the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression and to join the Register of Damage for Ukraine.

He also emphasized the need to return deported Ukrainian children and unlawfully detained civilians, identifying this as a global priority.

The President further addressed other issues on the international agenda: the situation in the Middle East, the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in Gaza, the stalled peace process, and the importance of resolving the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Gitanas Nausėda stressed that the international community must remain actively engaged in combating disinformation. "Historical memory must be preserved, and truth must be defended as the supreme value," he said.

At the conclusion of his speech, the President expressed support for UN reforms and the Secretary-General's UN80 reform agenda, aimed at building a more inclusive, effective, and accountable United Nations.