Last week, we marked 1000 days since Russia launched its illegal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

We recalled the devastating impact the war has had upon the Ukrainian people and the world, and reiterated our steadfast commitment to ensuring Ukraine gets the support it needs to defend itself and to achieve a just and lasting peace, in line with the UN Charter. 

President Putin has demonstrated, time and again, that he has no interest in such a peace. In recent weeks and months, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine.  

First, it has stepped up the use of indiscriminate glide bombs against Ukrainian cities. Last week, the UN announced that the number of civilians killed since February 2022 had reached over 10,000, with over 18,500 injured.  

Second, Russia has intensified its deliberate targeting of civilian energy infrastructure. This is a war crime and puts the lives of millions of Ukrainians at serious risk during the cold winter months. 

Third, Russia is using experimental weapons. Last week, it fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile on Dnipro. Ukraine is not a testing ground for new weapons.

I could go on. But this pattern of reckless activity by Russia serves only to prolong the war and the suffering of the Ukrainian people, whilst posing serious risks to international peace and security. 

There is only one aggressor here and only one country in breach of the Charter. To seek de-escalation, we must focus on deterring Russia from that aggression.

No one wants peace more than Ukraine, but Ukraine needs to be able to defend its civilians from these brutal attacks.

Ukraine has a right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, and we will support them in their efforts to achieve sustainable peace.