Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis spoke on behalf of the Baltic States at the United Nations Security Council meeting

Madam President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Baltic States – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

The major reason we meet today is that the permanent member of the Security Council, Russia, is openly threatening security and the rules-based global order – the very cause this Council was created for.

Just a year ago, Russia was sowing lies and distrust, now it is sowing chaos and death.

Day by day Russia defies the principles of the United Nations and has already become a synonym of brutality, state-run terrorism and genocide.

At this very moment, the international community cannot and should not turn away.

Yesterday we all woke up to one more Putin’s attempt to escalate aggression.

By announcing mobilization he now has waged the war against his own people.

Against the people, who meant to be the future of the country but are turned into the weapons of colonial past.

Sowing fear, blackmailing, manipulating are the very few weapons he has left with. Sowing scare is his only tactics.

But we shall fear not.

We shall meet Putin’s desperate sabre-rattling with calm and resolve.

Condemnation alone will not end these crimes.

It is imperative that the international organisations use all of their resources to bring Russia’s atrocities to the public light and on the charge-sheets of international justice.

It is our duty to bring Putin to justice.

The special tribunal to address the crime of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine must be established.

Thus, if international organizations will stand up for justice half as strong as Ukraine stands up for universal values, peace will prevail and justice will prevail.

Madam President,

Russia’s war against Ukraine has far-reaching consequences beyond Europe.

Ukraine is one of the major exporters of wheat, corn and sunflower oil.

Thus we shall make it very clear: the shortage of food is due to the Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and due to blockade of the Ukrainian ports. And NOT because of the internationally imposed sanctions.

And, as if, the charge sheet was not full enough, the Moscow regime, has now pressed the button of nuclear threats, knowing, that we all know that consequences of the disaster in Zaporizhzhia may be potentially worse than Chernobyl or Fukushima.

But we shall fear not.

We shall use all the power of international community to demand from Russia the unconditional withdrawal of its military from Zaporizhzhia.

Madam President,

When we say Ukraine, we mean true courage and unbeatable resilience. Ukraine fights for every principle UN stands for. Ukraine fights for everyone of us.

Therefore, Madam President,

I call on this Council – do not fear to act, fear of your doubt and indifference.

I call on every State – we still have a chance to preserve peace and security by taking right decisions to defend the rules-based international order.

I call on the entire international community – accountability matters and justice cannot be escaped.

This is the momentum, when we have the chance to decide in what world we want to wake-up tomorrow.

And just before I go, I want to remind that it is not only Russia that shall be held accountable. The regime of B elarus shall be on the charge sheet too.

Slava Ukraini!

I thank you.