United Nations General Assembly - Debate pursuant to resolution 76/262 on the use of the veto at the Security Council meeting held on 24 February 2025 in connection with the item entitled “Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine”

Statement by H.E. Mr. Olivier Maes
Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Luxembourg
on behalf of the Benelux countries (Belgium, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Luxembourg)

New York, 6 March 2025

Mr. President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Benelux countries: Belgium, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and my own country, Luxembourg. We fully subscribe to the statements made by the European Union as well as by Liechtenstein on behalf of a group of countries. The Benelux countries thank you for convening this debate in accordance with resolution 76/262, in application of the veto initiative spearheaded by Liechtenstein.

An important impetus for the adoption of resolution 76/262 was the widespread concerns among members of this Assembly over the Security Council’s paralysis in the face of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, a sovereign member state of the United Nations. As we meet, Russian forces continue to intensify their attacks on the civilian population and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, in violation of international humanitarian law.

On 24 February, the General Assembly adopted two resolutions in which it reiterated the need to redouble diplomatic efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in line with the Charter of the United Nations and its principles of sovereign equality and territorial integrity of States. To quote our colleague, the Permanent Representative of France, by adopting these resolutions, the General Assembly has been the moral compass of this Organization, the guarantor of a rules-based international order and of the sovereign equality of States. By contrast, Russia abused its veto power in the Security Council by voting against territorial integrity and peace in line with the UN Charter.

The Benelux countries remain steadfast in defending the principles of international law and the UN Charter across all situations, whether in the Middle East, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Myanmar, or Ukraine. Our position is clear: safeguarding the integrity of the international system requires the same commitment to justice and accountability in all crises.

Mr. President,

After three years of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, resolution 2774 adopted by the Security Council on 24 February makes no reference to the party that is responsible for this invasion, Russia. It makes no reference to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters. And it makes no reference to the need for peace between Ukraine and the Russian Federation to be not just lasting, but also just and comprehensive and in line with the UN Charter and the principles of sovereign equality and territorial integrity of States. It was precisely to correct those glaring omissions and to bring the resolution in line with the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly a few hours earlier that the European members of the Security Council, Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom presented amendments to the draft resolution submitted by the United States of America. We deeply regret that two amendments which enjoyed broad support among Council members were not adopted due to the use of the veto by Russia. The fact that Russia portrayed the amendments referencing the Charter and its principles as being “unbalanced”, “politicized” and an act of “sabotage” is not acceptable for the vast majority of Member States that are truly committed to respecting the Charter.

What is also not acceptable is that we have again witnessed a situation where the perpetrator acts as the judge in his own case. All members of the Security Council must adhere to Article 27, part 3 of the Charter, which indicates that “a party to a dispute shall abstain from voting”. In the Pact for the Future, under action 41, we have all decided to implement this provision. If any lack of clarity on the scope or definition of this clause is the reason this Charter obligation has not been honoured in full, it must be addressed as a matter of priority.

Mr. President,

The Benelux countries welcome efforts to end the war in Ukraine through diplomacy and dialogue as long as those efforts are based on the principles of the United Nations Charter, including the principles of sovereign equality and territorial integrity of States. Peace in Ukraine will only be sustainable if it is just and underpinned by strong and credible security guarantees.

In its just and courageous fight to defend its freedom and our common universal values, Ukraine can continue to count on the full support and solidarity of the Benelux countries. We will continue to resolutely support the independence, unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

Thank you.