Poland in the UN

On February 24, 2026, Poland participated in the UN General Assembly Emergency Special Session on Ukraine.

The full statement delivered by Krzysztof Szczerski, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Poland to the UN in New York, is available below:

Ms. President,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Four years have passed since the Russian Federation launched its brutal, unjustified and unlawful full-scale aggression against Ukraine. Four years of immense human suffering and destruction. Four years of a flagrant violation of the principles upon which this Organization stands. Four years of threatening European and global security.

The resolution adopted today recalls the most fundamental principles of the UN Charter that we all adhered to. It calls for a comprehensive and unconditional cessation of hostilities as a fundamental element of the peace process. We are convinced that this is a first step and a sine qua non condition for achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations

Russia is persistent in its demands to re-establish its ne-colonial sphere of influence over Eastern and Central Europe. Russian officials deny the Ukrainian people their right to a sovereign domestic and foreign policy. We cannot agree to that. No delegation should.

Russia’s invasion and ongoing occupation of parts of Ukraine constitute a grave breach of international law. Any attempted annexation or forced integration of Ukrainian territory is null and void.

In the temporarily occupied territories, repression is systematic. Surveillance, coercion and digital controls have eliminated space for dissent. Russian laws are selectively imposed to entrench domination. Ukrainian citizens are pressured to accept Russian

passports; those who refuse are treated as “foreigners” in their own homes, deprived of rights and services.

We are witnessing deliberate demographic and ideological reengineering: Ukrainian children are unlawfully transferred and deported; education is being weaponized to erase identity, and young people are drawn into paramilitary structures, serving the occupying power. Such actions violate international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Reports by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine document arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, torture and extrajudicial executions. These violations form a consistent pattern.

The economic potential of the occupied territories is redirected to support Russia’s war effort. Religious life is also subjected to pressure.

Madame President,

Many high-level delegations were unable to join us today because of severe winter conditions. If you complained about inconveniences yesterday, please think what Ukraine is facing, where temperatures are much colder and Russia systematically attacks cities, shelling power and heating plants and leaving millions of people without electricity and heat in the dead of winter. This is yet another Russian war crime during the aggression. Maybe today it is easier for us to grasp the cruelty of these deliberate actions.

We firmly believe that impunity cannot prevail. War crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression must not go unpunished.

In the meanwhile Moscow, presents itself as an advocate for global partners, exploits the economic difficulties of people

around the world by recruiting them to Russian military forces and engaging in its neo-colonial war.

From the first day of the invasion, Polish solidarity has remained steadfast and focused on Ukraine’s victory, the restoration of its territorial integrity, and the protection of human life. We are convinced that Ukraine will prevail — with the sustained commitment of international community.

Thank you.