Poland in the UN

On  February 24, 2026, Poland participated in the UN Security Council briefing on the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine.

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

Excellencies,

Four years ago, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, seeking to redraw the map of Europe and erase a sovereign nation Many thought that such actions belonged to the dark past of previous centuries. But Russia reminded us that her imperial craving for colonies knows no such limits.

Four years later Ukraine continues to valiantly defend itself against that brutal onslaught. Every inch of Russian sluggish progress on the battlefield comes at an enormous price in her soldiers’ lives and suffering. And yet, 1461 days since the start of the three-day “special operation” it continues to wage that illegal war, in full disregard for human life, including that of its own citizens. The reason behind it is very simple: Moscow wants Ukraine capitulation while Ukraine wants peace. And that’s the difference. Despite the diplomatic efforts of Kyiv, our partners in Washington DC and a broader international community, Putin continues to seek total subjugation of Ukraine.

Already today this aggression does not stop at Ukraine’s borders. We feel it in Poland through hybrid attacks, sabotage, and cynical attempts to destabilize the society. So do many of our partners across Europe. Make no mistake - these actions will not undermine our resolve to help a nation under attack. But they do carry a risk of escalation that should concern us all.

Through its aggression, Russia has betrayed the very principles of the UN Charter and international law – violations made all the more shocking by the fact that they are committed by a permanent member of the Security Council, the very member that last year voted in favor of a resolution calling for a swift end to the conflict and urging a lasting peace.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Russian attacks on Ukraine remain systematic and deliberate. Nearly every day, drones and missiles strike Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure. Attacks on energy infrastructure represent a calculated "weaponization of winter." The strategy is simple: to break civilians through frost and darkness. This is terror elevated to the level of state policy.

We categorically condemn such attacks and refuse to remain indifferent.

This policy is, however, failing.

Ukraine is not just defending itself; it is repairing, building, and persevering. This commands our deepest respect. Our thoughts are with the victims, but our actions must be with the survivors.

Ladies and gentlemen,

What must we do?

First, continue comprehensive support for Ukraine for as long as it takes. Half measures are not helpful.

Second, maintain and strengthen sanctions, particularly on Russian energy exports that finance this war. Sanctions must bite.

Third, persist in diplomatic efforts toward a just and lasting peace—defined and accepted by Ukraine – as the victim. Not Russia – the aggressor.

On our end, Poland will not waver in its support to Ukraine—be it government-led aid or the heartfelt assistance from our citizens, NGOs, and faith-based organizations. We have been helping Ukraine from the day one and mobilizing others to do so and it will not change.

It is my hope that a year from now, we will not be sitting here repeating the same pleas. It is time for Russia to end this war and finally understand that the era of Russian empire is over: neither white empire nor the red empire for which the Russian ambassador was longing today.

Thank you.