June 20, 2025
Thank you, Madam President. And thank you ASG Miroslav Jenča and Director Edem Wosornu, for your briefings. And welcome to the representative of Ukraine.
In the overnight hours of June 16 and 17, Russia launched one of the largest strikes against Ukraine’s capital since the start of its full-scale invasion, including 440 drones and 32 missiles.
The attack killed at least 24 people in Kyiv and injured at least 115 people. And I have noted that some here today have estimated even higher casualty numbers for killed and wounded. We join others in extending condolences for those lost.
I can confirm that one of those killed was a U.S. citizen, the first American civilian to die in this war.
The United States unequivocally condemns these brutal attacks, which have wreaked death and destruction on civilians.
We have seen media reporting on video footage and impact assessments indicating Russia used cluster munitions.
In this month alone, Russia has already launched more than 3,300 one-way attack drones and is on track to deploy nearly 6,000 killer drones.
There is no justification for Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s cities.
Russia is killing Ukrainian civilians when it should be doing the exact opposite – ending the war.
Russia must stop the killing of civilians and the destruction of their homes, schools, and playgrounds.
It is now 116 days since this Council adopted a resolution imploring a swift end to the conflict and urging a lasting peace between the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
Russia’s actions, however, oppose that goal.
Today, we reiterate our call on Russia to negotiate in good faith toward a ceasefire and a lasting, durable peace.
We urge all countries, including China, to stop exports to Russia of dual-use goods that contribute to Russia’s war industrial base and enable its drone and missile attacks against Ukraine.
We further condemn Iran for providing Russia with Shahed drones and missiles, and the DPRK for transferring to Russia munitions, missiles, and troops. These are prolonging the war and increasing suffering in both Ukraine and Russia.
Russia must now turn toward peace.
Enough is enough. End it now.
I thank you.