EU Statement - UN Security Council: Briefing on Threats to international peace and security

EU Statement - UN Security Council: Briefing on Threats to international peace and security

New York, 1 June 2026 - Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States at the UN Security Council Briefing on Threats to international peace and security, delivered by H.E. Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis, Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations.

President,

I have the honor of delivering this statement on behalf of the EU and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro*, Albania*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina* and Georgia, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Andorra and Monaco, align themselves with this statement.

I thank Colombia for scheduling this meeting and congratulate you on the first day of assuming the Presidency. Warm congratulations to China for their stewardship of the UNSC in the month of May.

The European Union strongly condemns the grave incident of the 29^th of May in which a Russian drone carrying explosives, that was part of one more overnight attack against Ukraine, crashed into a residential building in Galați, Romania. The European Union expresses its full solidarity with Romania and those affected by this incident.

This reckless act is a direct result of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Russia bears full responsibility for the consequences of its escalatory behaviour and its continued military actions, which once again threaten the security of EU citizens, regional stability and international peace.

The European Union reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the security of Romania and all its Member States and stands ready to accelerate efforts to strengthen protection against such threats, including through Eastern Flank Watch and other initiatives to consolidate European Defence Readiness. The EU will continue to advance its initiatives aimed at strengthening defence of all EU land, air and maritime borders capabilities - including on the Eastern Flank, reinforcing defence readiness and consolidating resilience. We will continue to ensure that the EU is better equipped to act and deal in a coordinated way, with a 360 approach.

Russia's continuing serious violations of European airspace only reinforce our resolve to support Ukraine and its people in their defence against Russia's war of aggression and their pursuit of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations.

In this regard, we must all further raise the cost for Moscow and disrupt its war war.

President,

Friday's incident happened on the back of several meetings of this Security Council where the large majority of members spoke out clearly in favor of a full, unconditional and immediate ceasefire. So did Ukraine. The EU actively supports all diplomatic efforts to this end, and we once again call on all members of this Council to work with us in in pressuring Russia's leadership to accept a ceasefire and finally engage in good faith. Ukraine is ready, members of this Council are ready and demanding it. It must finally happen.

I thank you.

*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.