The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Ukraine, at the request of Greece, Slovenia, Denmark, the United Kingdom and France due to recent massive Russian attacks that have caused significant civilian casualties.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacekeeping Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, said, among other things, that instead of progress towards peace, there has been an increase in massive Russian attacks across Ukraine, with the largest drone attack taking place on May 26.
"The longer the war lasts, the more its regional and global impacts will be felt and the more difficult it will be to find a peaceful solution," he said.
She recalled the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2774 in February – the first since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which sparked a sense of optimism for a diplomatic solution.
This, she stressed, has since been replaced by a sense of international disillusionment – and more suffering in Ukraine as attacks have increased. “The hope that the parties will be able to sit down and negotiate is still alive, but only just,” Ms DiCarlo warned.
OCHA's Director of Financing and Partnerships, Lisa Dowten, stressed that there is no respite for civilians in Ukraine, with over 200 confirmed attacks on medical facilities in 2025 and more than 3,7 million displaced.
An estimated 1,5 million civilians in Russian-occupied areas remain largely cut off from humanitarian aid.
“Despite the escalating challenges, humanitarian organizations – many of which are local NGOs – continue to deliver food, water, hygiene kits and protection services,” he said.
However, he stressed, only a quarter of the $2,6 billion needed for the 2025 humanitarian response plan has been funded, leaving aid workers struggling to meet growing needs.
“Every delay costs lives. Every dollar helps us reach the next family under fire, educate the next child out of school, help evacuate people with disabilities, and keep water flowing to frontline communities,” he stressed.
The Permanent Representative of Greece, Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris, reiterated the UN Secretary-General's condemnation of the latest attacks and joined the overwhelming majority of UN members who call for a cessation of hostilities and a return to peace.
He praised the UN's multifaceted support to civilians, especially children, as well as the efforts and courage of humanitarian workers, who have recently suffered increased casualties, and regretted the lack of progress during recent peace efforts, due to Russia's intransigence.
He also reiterated that a complete, immediate and comprehensive ceasefire should remain the first priority on the path towards a just, comprehensive and lasting peace, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.
Ukraine has called for talks that “will yield tangible results.” Ukraine’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Kristyna Hayovichyn, said the international community must increase pressure on Russia, including through sanctions, to end the “diplomatic impasse” for which she directly blames Russia. “Ukraine did not start this war, nor do we want it to continue,” Hayovichyn said.
He noted that President Volodymyr Zelensky remains willing to meet with President Vladimir Putin at any time for direct talks, but that the Russian president has not made himself available - including by not attending the negotiations in Turkey, where Mr. Zelensky was present.
"We are not afraid of talks. We are in favor of constructive talks," he stressed.
Ms. Hajovisin also said that "the only positive outcome" of the meeting in Turkey was the agreement by both Russia and Ukraine to release 1.000 prisoners of war each.
Russia, for its part, accused the Ukrainian government of trying to "deceive and mislead" President Donald Trump in order to distance the US from its central role in mediating the negotiations.
Russian Permanent Representative Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia said that “it is becoming increasingly difficult for London, Paris and Berlin to inflate the propaganda “bubble”, since it is now obvious that what they have in Ukraine is nothing more than a dictatorship and the “banned prince of Kiev will stop at nothing to stay in power”.
Regarding allegations that Russia is targeting civilians in Ukraine, he argued that the losses are a result of Ukrainian air defense systems that were “placed near residential buildings and public infrastructure in violation of basic International Humanitarian Law.”
He noted that the real targets of Russian raids are military-industrial facilities, citing the destruction of ammunition depots and other weapons facilities in various regions of Ukraine.
Tough stance from the US
Sanctions for Russia are "still on the table" if it makes the "wrong decision" to continue its destructive war against Ukraine, noted Acting United States Permanent Representative John Kelly.
“President Trump has emphasized from the beginning that this war was a strategic mistake and should never have happened – time is not on the side of those who would prolong it,” Mr. Kelly said.
The US also condemned Russia's decision to launch a record number of long-range missiles and drones against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine last weekend.
Mr. Kelly noted that if Russia makes the “wrong decision to continue this destructive war,” the United States may be forced to end its negotiating efforts.
“To be clear, this would not be abandoning our principles or our friends. Rather, it would be acknowledging Russia’s refusal to cooperate with us for a desired outcome,” Mr. Kelly stressed.
Mr. Kelly also referred to President Trump's conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 21, saying the US is awaiting the terms of a Russian ceasefire proposal.
"We will judge Russia's seriousness about ending the war not only by the content of the terms, but mainly by Russia's actions," he added.
On Friday, May 30, a second meeting of the Security Council will follow at the initiative of Russia, which according to information will focus on European actions that - according to Moscow - are hindering the peace process.
Source: protothema.gr
