Thank you, Madam President. And thank you, Assistant Secretary-General Msuya, for your briefing, which powerfully reinforces that this war must end now.
Just over one month ago, on the third anniversary of the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine war, this Council adopted Resolution 2774, imploring a swift end to the war. "As we noted in that landmark resolution – the first in this Council since the war began – and as we have sadly heard again today, there has been a tragic loss of life throughout this conflict."
In the weeks since the adoption of that resolution, continued fighting has injured or killed more soldiers and civilians on both sides. The war continues to have a devastating impact, particularly on children. The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reported last week that children living in occupied territories have suffered summary executions, arbitrary detention, and torture. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has verified 669 children were killed and 1,833 injured in Ukraine between February 2022 and the end of 2024. Russian forces have destroyed homes, schools, and medical facilities and forcibly transferred thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia, as President Trump discussed with President Zelenskyy last week.
"The war must end. We must all continue to agree on this."
The United States commends Ukraine and the Russian Federation for taking the first steps towards a ceasefire, including participating in technical-level talks this week. "We welcome the proposed partial ceasefires on strikes against energy infrastructure and in the Black Sea, agreed to in principle by the leaders of both sides." If fully implemented, these agreements will be an important first step on the path to peace. They will protect lives and improve livelihoods – but "the first step alone is not enough." We call on both sides to abide by these agreements and expand on them to reach a comprehensive ceasefire.
The United States is committed to achieving a lasting peace, not just a temporary pause, and is pursuing that goal through direct dialogue with both Ukraine and Russia.
Last week, President Trump spoke with the presidents of both the Russian Federation and Ukraine. On March 18, President Putin agreed "the conflict needs to end with a lasting peace." And on March 19, President Zelenskyy agreed that "lasting peace can be achieved."
"For the first time since February 2022," perhaps "the first time since February 2014," we are seeing "the common ground between Russia and Ukraine expanding," rather than shrinking. That in itself is grounds for optimism.
"We call on all Security Council members," and all UN Member States," to lend their support to our efforts to achieve a swift, durable peace in Ukraine." I thank you.