Speech by President António Costa at the United Nations Security Council on Ukraine 00:27 On 23 September 2025, European Council President António Costa was in New York at the[...]

First of all, I would like to thank the South Korean Presidency for convening this meeting.

Ukraine is fighting for the very principles of the United Nations Charter. Sovereignty. Territorial integrity, the respect for internationally recognized borders. The right to choose its own destiny. We cannot rewrite history. This war started with an unjustified and illegal attack by Russia.

There is only one root cause to this war - Russia's refusal to accept Ukraine's right to choose its own future. Peace in Ukraine is not just Ukraine's interest. It is not just Europe's interest. It is the interest of the global community. If we accept Russia's invasion of Ukraine, no country will ever be safe.

The pursuit of peace must be the top priority of the global community. The European Union will continue to work to end this war of aggression and to support Ukraine in every way. A ceasefire, to which Ukraine has already agreed to, is the first step.

I call on Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, to agree to come to the negotiation table. To stop the killings. To stop the destruction. To stop threatening its neighbouring countries. I call on the international community to be actively engaged on peace efforts in full respect of the United Nations Charter. The European Union supports President Trump's efforts for peace.

And I would like to see China, also a permanent member of this Security Council, contribute towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

To achieve an end to the aggression, the European Union will continue to apply pressure on Russia through sanctions. To ensure a lasting peace, the European Union, in the context the Coalition of the Willing, is ready to contribute with concrete security guarantees to Ukraine.

To fulfil the aspirations of the Ukrainian people, we will continue to support Ukraine on its path to full membership in the European Union.

The time for peace is now. And now is the time for Russia to stop this aggression.

Thank you.