LIVE: UN discusses Ukraine on the fourth anniversary of the war
TL;DR
On the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, the UN General Assembly convened to consider a Ukrainian-led resolution demanding an unconditional ceasefire and lasting peace, as officials detailed Russia's escalating attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure while warning that any settlement must uphold Ukraine's sovereignty and the UN Charter.
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Weaponization of winter
Russia has deliberately targeted power plants and energy grids with the explicit aim of leaving civilians without electricity, heating, or water in temperatures plunging to minus-20 degrees Celsius.
Mass displacement crisis
Nearly one-third of Ukraine's population has been forced to flee, including 4 million internally displaced persons, 5.7 million refugees globally, and more than half of all Ukrainian children.
Deadliest year for civilians
The year 2025 marked the deadliest period for civilians since the invasion began, with thousands killed or injured and entire cities like Mariupol and Bakhmut erased from the map.
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Draft resolution A/ES11/L17
Ukraine introduced a resolution calling for an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire alongside comprehensive humanitarian measures including the release of all abducted children and prisoners of war.
Sovereignty as non-negotiable
Deputy Minister Mariana Betsa declared that Ukraine would never accept peace under the disguise of capitulation or surrender, insisting on a settlement that secures freedom within internationally recognized borders.
Systematic abduction of children
The address highlighted the abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children by Russian forces, citing the case of Andre Huminuk and his brother who were left alone after FSB agents abducted their parents.
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Attack on the UN Charter
Speakers warned that Russia's aggression represents a direct assault on the fundamental principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-use of force that underpin the international order.
Assembly's moral authority
The General Assembly has adopted eight resolutions demanding Russia's immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal, serving as the moral voice of the international community while the Security Council remains deadlocked.
Global implications
Delegates stressed that violating the Charter in Ukraine weakens its authority everywhere, affecting peace and security in Myanmar, Venezuela, Gaza, and Sudan.
Bottom Line
The international community must reject any peace agreement that rewards territorial aggression or compromises Ukraine's sovereignty, instead supporting an immediate unconditional ceasefire grounded strictly in the UN Charter and international law.
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