Ukraine Defends the UN Charter, Citing World War II Sacrifices

My delegation thanks China for convening this timely debate on upholding the principles of the UN Charter which are now under existential threat. Allow me to recall a historical fact that is too often overlooked. The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, though not a fully sovereign state in 1945, was among the

leading members of the United Nations. That was not an act of generosity. The international community recognized the immense sacrifice that the Ukrainian people had made in contributing to the victory over Nazism in Europe. Ukraine was among those nations that suffered the most devastating human losses during

the Second World War. Nearly 10 million Ukrainians have lost their lives.

Therefore, for us Ukrainians, the principles enshrined in the UN Charter are not abstract concepts written on paper. They are part of a legacy paid for with millions of our lives. That is the reason why defending the Charter,

safeguarding its principles, and preserving the rule-based international order is a sacred duty for Ukraine. It is a duty we owe to this and future generations who deserve to live in a world where aggression is punished and not rewarded.