More than 50 UN member states have called on Russia to end its aggression against Ukraine

More than 50 countries have called on Russia to agree to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and to take a step towards substantive peace talks. The joint statement was issued ahead of a meeting of the UN Security Council by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and the Ukrainian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Andriy Sibiga. In the document, the countries reaffirmed their solidarity with Ukraine and emphasised the need to uphold the UN Charter, in particular the principles of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states, as well as Ukraine’s right to self-defence. Separately, the signatories expressed deep concern at the intensification of Russian attacks on the civilian population and critical infrastructure in Ukraine. The document emphasises the need to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians and hold those responsible to account. The countries also drew attention to the situation in the Black Sea. They expressed concern over Russian attacks, which are hindering Ukrainian grain exports and posing risks to global food security. The states supported efforts to reach agreements that would guarantee freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. The authors of the statement recalled that Ukraine had agreed to a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire as far back as March 2025. “We call on Russia to finally do the same as a necessary step towards meaningful diplomacy and negotiations leading to peace,” the document states. A separate paragraph concerns Ukrainians who have been unlawfully detained and deported. The countries called on Russia to immediately and unconditionally return all unlawfully detained, forcibly displaced and deported civilians, including children, and to ensure the return of prisoners of war and internees. “Ukraine wants peace. We want peace. Russia must cease its aggression, agree to a ceasefire and engage meaningfully in negotiations for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in accordance with international law,” the joint statement emphasises. The document was signed by more than 50 states, including most European countries, as well as Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Honduras, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Panama and South Korea. The statement was released on the eve of a UN Security Council meeting on the topic of ‘Maintaining peace and security in Ukraine’, which Ukraine’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Andriy Sybiga, is due to attend.