'The Choice Is Clear': UN Chief Blasts Putin Over Killing Of 15,000 Civilians In Ukraine By Russia

Hinzugefügt: 2026-05-30

[00:00:00]The choice is clear, the responsibility is clear, the time for peace is now.

[00:00:08]Mr. President, with your permission, I will make some brief remarks, and the Assistant Secretary General Khiari will provide a detailed briefing.

[00:00:19]Mr. President, excellencies, allow me to make a direct appeal.

[00:00:25]The large-scale strikes launched by the Russian Federation across Ukraine on 23rd, 24th of May, and the prospect of further such attacks underscore the gravity of this moment.

[00:00:38]Since February 2022, more than 15,000 civilians have been killed in Ukraine, nearly 800 children among them, as verified by the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights.

[00:00:52]Reports from the Russian Federation indicated also a growing number of civilian casualties, including children.

[00:01:01]Humanitarian personnel have come under attack.

[00:01:04]Serious violations of international humanitarian law continue.

[00:01:08]The human toll is increasing.

[00:01:11]In the first 4 months of this year, more civilians have been killed in Ukraine than in the same period in 2025, or 2024, or 2023.

[00:01:23]The front line is virtually frozen, with swarms of drones inflicting heavy casualties, and civilian infrastructure is being destroyed on a vast scale, especially energy infrastructure.

[00:01:36]This could go on and on and on.

[00:01:40]But the direction of the war, the escalation and intensification that we are witnessing, risks to get out of control.

[00:01:48]The risk of miscalculation, the risk of escalation with unknown and unintended consequences, and so let's speak plainly.

[00:01:58]The current course is not sustainable.

[00:02:01]The trajectory must change. The death spiral must stop.

[00:02:06]What is needed now is de-escalation, immediate and sustained.

[00:02:10]What is needed now is a full and unconditional ceasefire.

[00:02:14]What is needed now is more diplomacy.

[00:02:17]And what is needed is to create the conditions for a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in line with the Charter of the United Nations, international law, and UN resolution.

[00:02:30]Mr. President, excellencies, the choice is clear, the responsibility is clear, the time for peace is now, and I thank you.

[00:02:39]>> Mr. President, as the Secretary General just stated, today's meeting takes place against the backdrop of an alarming escalation of the war in Ukraine.

[00:02:50]On the night of 23rd and 24th of May, the armed forces of the Russian Federation launched a massive strike across Ukraine, reportedly deploying as many as 90 long-range missiles and 600 drones.

[00:03:05]Among the weapons used were the so-called Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, which targeted the city of Bila Tserkva in central Ukraine.

[00:03:16]This marks the third known instance of the use of this weapon by the Russian Federation in Ukraine.

[00:03:23]At least five people were reportedly killed, and at least 112 others injured across Ukraine, with the heaviest toll in Kyiv.

[00:03:32]The city's more than 2 million residents endured over 7 hours of explosions, impacting dozens of residential buildings.

[00:03:41]According to UNESCO, more than 30 cultural sites were reportedly damaged in this latest wave of attacks.

[00:03:49]The The residence of the Albanian ambassador and the compound housing the United Nations resident coordinator and several UN agencies were impacted by falling debris from strikes in central Kyiv.

[00:04:03]Fortunately, no UN staff members were injured.

[00:04:08]Attacks continued into this week impacting civilians across southern and eastern Ukraine.

[00:04:15]Russian Federation authorities have also reported rising civilian casualties from alleged Ukrainian strikes.

[00:04:22]On 25th of May, two civilians were reportedly killed in the Belgorod and Bryansk regions.

[00:04:31]Mr. President, we remain deeply concerned over the recent announcements by the Russian Federation of plans to conduct, and I quote, "consistent and systemic strikes against Ukrainian defense enterprises in Kyiv, as well as against decision-making centers and command posts." End of quote.

[00:04:50]This announcement followed reports of an Ukrainian drone attack on a college building and dormitory in the Ukrainian city of Starobilsk that is presently occupied by the Russian Federation.

[00:05:05]We strongly condemn all attacks on civilian and civilian infrastructure.

[00:05:10]Such attacks, wherever they occur, violate international humanitarian law.

[00:05:16]They must cease immediately. Civilians must be protected.

[00:05:20]Mr. President, the United Nations and our humanitarian partners continue to operate under extremely dangerous conditions to reach civilians in need.

[00:05:31]In the past 2 weeks, United Nations humanitarian personnel, humanitarian partners, and assets have come under attack on five occasions. This is unacceptable.

[00:05:43]Humanitarian personnel and clearly marked humanitarian missions must be protected at all times in accordance with international humanitarian law.

[00:05:53]The United Nations stand ready to work with both sides to ensure safe, sustained, and unimpeded humanitarian access to communities in needs wherever they may be.

[00:06:04]Despite the challenging conditions, the United Nations continue to support recovery and reconstruction efforts, as well as human rights monitoring and advocacy.

[00:06:14]The United Nations is also focused on efforts to facilitate the safe return of deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children, including through the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict.

[00:06:30]Mr. President, in its fifth year, Russian Federation's full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues to exact a profound toll, disrupting global trade and economy, deepening regional and international divisions, and eroding trust in the multilateral system.

[00:06:50]With each passing day, diplomacy is delayed.

[00:06:53]The threat to regional and international peace and security deepens.

[00:06:57]An urgent return to dialogue and negotiations remain imperative.

[00:07:02]The United Nations will continue to fully support all meaningful efforts to that end. Thank you.

[00:07:11]>> Take me home.

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