“We strongly condemn Russia’s escalation of attacks against the civilian population of Ukraine,” reads a joint statement by a coalition of more than 50 UN member states, including Georgia, released by Ukraine’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Andriy Melnyk.

The statement, representing Ukraine, Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Marshall Islands, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Moldova, the Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, underscores the severity of Russia’s actions.

The statement highlights that Russia has reached a “new and terrifying level” of aggression against Ukraine, particularly through intensified strikes on civilians and critical civilian infrastructure.

“On the night of May 23-24, Russian armed forces launched one of the largest combined attacks against Ukraine, employing hundreds of aerial weapons, including ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles. For the city of Kyiv, this was one of the most devastating attacks recorded to date. Many other regions of Ukraine were also severely affected. Many civilians have been killed and injured across Ukraine.

Moreover, the Russian Federation appears to have struck the city of Bila Tserkva with an Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile specifically designed to carry nuclear warheads. Russia’s repeated use of nuclear-capable missiles constitutes an unacceptable escalation,” reads the joint statement.

The signatory countries of the statement strongly condemn Russia’s escalation of attacks. They emphasise that attacks against civilians, civilian objects, and critical energy infrastructure in Ukraine are serious violations of international humanitarian law and must cease immediately.

“We call for an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire as well as underscore the urgent need for concrete humanitarian measures, including the complete exchange of prisoners of war, the release of all unlawfully detained persons, and the safe return of all internees and civilians who have been forcibly transferred or deported, including thousands of Ukrainian children. These steps are essential confidence-building measures for advancing meaningful peace efforts,” reads the statement.

The signatories state that Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine constitutes a grave and continuing violation of the Charter of the United Nations and of fundamental principles of international law, and undermines the rules-based international order as well as international peace and security.

“We reiterate our demand that the Russian Federation immediately cease its war of aggression and ensure the full, immediate, and unconditional withdrawal of all its forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to ensuring full accountability for crimes committed under international law. All those responsible must be held to account.

We reaffirm our strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. We further reiterate that the attempted illegal annexation of parts of Ukraine’s sovereign territory by the Russian Federation is null and void under international law.

We welcome the sustained efforts of the United States, European countries, and other Member States aimed at bringing this war to an end.

We stand united in our determination to achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace for Ukraine, consistent with the UN Charter, including the principles of sovereign equality and territorial integrity of States.

We also condemn recent threats by Russia to diplomatic institutions and embassies in Kyiv. This is something that we cannot accept,” the joint statement concludes.