Mr. President,

Thank you very much, and thank you to the presidency for convening this important meeting on this day and thank you to Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for the briefing.

We mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. And Mr President, you said it at the beginning, it is indeed a grim milestone. It is also a day to mourn the countless victims killed over the course of this unjustified and illegal aggression. Every day of more bloodshed is a tragedy.

And it is an avoidable tragedy.

The war could easily end. Time and again, Ukraine has reiterated its readiness to agree to an unconditional, immediate ceasefire. Time and again, Russia chooses to continue its brutal warfare. While apparently engage in negotiations, but stalling in reality, Russia sends rockets to destroy Kyiv’s heating system, leaving hundreds of thousands people - young and old, sick and healthy - exposed to arctic temperatures.

This war, colleagues, has profound consequences for Ukraine, but also for all Member States of the United Nations. In so many ways, many of which have been mentioned today, in previous interventions. And one very important consequence is: The violation of the most fundamental norms of the United Nations Charter. Our common security depends on all of us jointly upholding these most essential norms.

This morning, the United Nations General Assembly sent a clear signal: That the reckless continuation of warfare is not acceptable. And that the rules that we have all agreed to, as United Nations Member States, matter. Russia must finally agree to an unconditional ceasefire and seriously engage in negotiations.

This war has to end. And we will not rest, to work, until a comprehensive, sustainable and just peace is achieved. The people of Ukraine have the right to live in peace and security within the secure borders of their sovereign nation.

Germany reaffirms its continued and unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

And what we do, as Germany, and I would like to underline at this point, for Ukraine, for European security: we do with partners, with allies, and with friends. And to our Russian colleague, who has unfortunately left the room, who selectively quoted from the speech of the German chancellor in Munich, I would suggest for the speech to be read and digested in full, because it clearly shows what we are doing, and why we have to invest in our defenses. The reason being: the Russian aggression.

And to not quote selectively, I would like to offer the following quote from the Chancellor’s speech:

“Power politics in Europe is not an option for Germany. Leadership in a spirit of partnership, yes. Hegemonic fantasies, no. Never again will Germany go at it alone. That is the abiding lesson from our history.”

Colleagues, a lesson from our history and from World War II is that we have to abide by common rules that we gave each other and that we all supported in signing the United Nations Charter. And this is why we are here today, and this is what we are working for with all of you: friends, allies, and partners around the world.

Thank you.