Statement delivered by Her Excellency Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, during the United Nations Security Council briefing on “Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine"

Thank you, Mr. President

I thank USG DiCarlo for her briefing and welcome the participation of Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Estonia and the European Union in today’s meeting.

Mr. President,

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has created a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions, with the vast majority of civilian casualties and damage to educational and health facilities occurring in the territory of Ukraine.

Guyana is alarmed by the recent intensification of attacks against critical civilian infrastructure which results in immeasurable human suffering for millions of innocent people. Recent attacks against energy infrastructure have resulted in power outages affecting more than one million persons across Ukraine and impacting access to essential services in several regions.

We have repeatedly expressed our grave concern about the impact of this conflict on civilians with seemingly little to no effort being made to minimize civilian harm.

Even as we approach the third year of this war, there appears to be no respite from the mounting wave of violence. We continue to receive report after report of indiscriminate missile and drone strikes. As USG DiCarlo reminded, OHCHR has reported a 30% increase in the number of civilians killed and injured in 2024, with this month’s attack in Zaporizhzhia city causing the highest number of civilian casualties in a single incident in almost two years.

Also deeply alarming, are the findings of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, pointing to patterns of torture and other forms of human rights abuses being committed against prisoners of war and other detainees. These violations must end.

International humanitarian law is clear. Conflict parties must take all feasible precautions to minimize civilian harm. Yet, repeated violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law continue to feature in this war.

Guyana again stresses that the consequences of violations of international law are not confined to borders and cannot be left unchecked. We insist on the adherence to the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

In this regard, Guyana reiterates its call for the cessation of hostilities and for full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We call, once again, on the Russian Federation to immediately withdraw its military forces from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine.

Mr. President,

History has taught us that in war there are no winners, and peace achieved through force is not sustainable. We support those who seek to apply the tools of diplomacy to bring about a peaceful and lasting settlement and appeal to the parties to commit to a serious diplomatic process to end the conflict.

Meanwhile, we must all uphold our responsibility and as custodians of peace, and defenders of the UN Charter; we must protect the vulnerable. We must end this war. Now.

I Thank You.