05.08.2025 Danish statement on Russian called Arria meeting on Ukraine and Kursk

Check Against Delivery 

Mr. Chair,

Last week, Russia described the Security Council’s emergency briefing on Ukraine as a “Groundhog Day” event. That meeting was held in direct response to another major escalation in Russian attacks on Ukraine. Time and time again, including last week, Russia has complained that the Council holds too many meetings on the situation in Ukraine. Today’s Arria formula meeting organised by Russia, however, truly feels like a Groundhog Day moment.

The briefings we have heard today does not offer a new perspective. Rather we have witnessed yet another smokescreen to distract, deflect and defend the indefensible: namely Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked war of aggression against a sovereign neighbouring country in gross violation of international law, including the UN Charter.

Russia is trying to justify its violation by using a tired playbook. Claims that the aggressor is somehow the victim. That a democratically-elected government must be overthrown to protect human rights. That the party defending its sovereign territory is somehow a warmonger.

In every General Assembly vote the international community has consistently supported Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally-recognised borders. Moreover, as it has been underlined several times, Ukraine, under Article 51 of the UN Charter, has the inherent right to defend itself against Russia’s aggression.

Denmark will continue to defend those principles to secure a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine consistent with the UN Charter.

We strongly urge the Russian Federation to make the same effort as they have mustered today to engage seriously in ceasefire talks. Ukraine has repeatedly stated its willingness to agree to an immediate and unconditional 30-day ceasefire. We call on the Russian Federation to do the same.

In closing,

We once again reject the false equivalence that Russia has tried to make today: Russia and Ukraine are not the same and their actions are not on a par. Russia bears full responsibility for this senseless war. It could end today by simply stopping its attacks on Ukraine. By ending its massive and relentless air strikes that kill and injure innocent civilians and destroy civilian infrastructure. And by withdrawing its troops from Ukraine’s sovereign territory and coming to the negotiation table in good faith.

I thank you Mr. Chair.