EU Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine, telling the UN Security Council on 22 June 2026 that Russia's war of aggression has lasted longer than the First World War and caused over 62,000 verified civilian casualties. Speaking on behalf of the EU and its member states, Lambrinidis condemned Russia's intensification of attacks, including a record 8,150 long-range drones and 211 missiles launched in May alone, and the targeting of schools, hospitals, and cultural sites such as the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. He stressed that Russia must end its war and engage in serious peace negotiations, noting that 14 of 15 Security Council members have called for a ceasefire or cessation of hostilities, with only Russia dissenting.
The statement, delivered at a meeting convened by the Colombian presidency, marks the latest EU diplomatic push on Ukraine at the UN. Lambrinidis highlighted that the UN Secretary-General has blacklisted Russia's armed forces for grave violations against children for the fourth consecutive year and has now also listed Russia for conflict-related sexual violence. The ambassador underscored that behind the statistics are destroyed lives and futures, and that Russia's continued violations leave no alternative but to ensure it stops through diplomatic persuasion by Security Council members. The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia, as well as Monaco and San Marino, aligned themselves with the EU statement.