It has “destroyed lives, devastated communities and deepened regional and global instability,” he said.
Death, displacement and attacks on infrastructure
He highlighted the “catastrophic” human cost, including more than 15,000 civilians killed, 41,000 injured and millions forced to flee their homes, while “an entire generation has lost years of education when schools have been attacked.”
In the midst of the current winter season, characterized by sub-zero temperatures, Russia has intensified attacks against Ukraine’s energy system.
As civilians in Russia are also increasingly affected by Ukrainian attacks, he called on both sides to implement an immediate moratorium on such attacks.
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Nuclear risk
The fighting also poses direct risks to the security of Ukraine’s nuclear sites and “this excessive game of nuclear roulette must stop immediately.”
As the war continues, “the UN is working closely with the government to repair damaged infrastructure, keep people warm and maintain critical services,” he said.
“Despite limited access and the deteriorating security situation, we are also working with local partners to deliver food, water, medical supplies and other humanitarian aid, including to those in frontline communities,” he added, urging Member States to fully fund the humanitarian response.
Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, briefs the Security Council meeting on maintaining peace and security in Ukraine.
Fundamental role of diplomacy
Ms. DiCarlo recalled that a year ago, the Council adopted resolution 2774 (2025) in which it called for “a rapid end to the conflict” and urged lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia.
While he praised ongoing diplomatic efforts by the United States and others to end the war, he emphasized the need for concrete steps to de-escalate fighting and create space for diplomacy.
“The longer this war continues, the greater the suffering and the greater the risks to regional and international peace and security,” he warned.
“No matter how complex the path may be, our collective obligation is clear: use all diplomatic tools to end this war.”
‘Enough of death’
“The parameters of peace in Ukraine are not a mystery. Any agreement must be fair, lasting and complete,” he said.
Ms. DiCarlo concluded her remarks with a call to action: “Enough death. Enough destruction. Enough broken lives and shattered futures,” she said.
“It is time for an immediate, total and unconditional ceasefire: the first step towards a just peace that saves lives and ends endless suffering.”
The United States abstains in the General Assembly vote
Meeting in an emergency special session, the General Assembly on Tuesday adopted a resolution titled “Support for Durable Peace in Ukraine,” following a procedural challenge by the United States that sought separate votes on key paragraphs reaffirming Ukraine’s sovereignty and calling for a comprehensive peace in accordance with international law.
The U.S. delegation called for a separate vote on two paragraphs, arguing that leaving them in the main resolution would “distract attention” from ongoing U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to end the war.
Washington requested that the second preambular paragraph and the second operative paragraph, which reiterates the call for “a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations,” be considered separately.
The United States emphasized that it welcomed the draft resolution’s call for an immediate ceasefire, but argued that “certain language in the resolution is likely to distract from ongoing negotiations, rather than supporting discussion of the full range of diplomatic avenues that can pave the way to lasting peace.”
Ukraine opposed the measure. “Weakening or removing this text would send a very dangerous signal that these fundamental principles are negotiable,” its representative told the Assembly, calling on member states to reject the motion.
France also urged delegations to vote against the split, warning that “a peace that is not based on the principles of the Charter simply will not be fair or lasting.”
The procedural vote – or “division motion” – was rejected by 69 votes against, 11 in favor and 62 abstentions.
The General Assembly then adopted the general resolution with 107 votes in favor, 12 against and 51 abstentions, including that of the United States.
The text calls for “an immediate, total and unconditional ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine and reiterates support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.
It also calls for the exchange of prisoners of war and the return of forcibly transferred or deported civilians, including children.
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