Impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine felt worldwide – Nausėda at UN

According to a Ukrinform correspondent, he called for support for Ukraine by all available means, including ending purchases of Russian energy resources.

“The war in Ukraine is well into its fourth year. The international community has not done enough to stop the aggressor,” he said.

Nausėda warned that if the world allows a permanent UN Security Council member to attack another member with impunity, it undermines the very foundations of the global order:

“When power replaces law, and fear silences the truth, the foundations of global order begin to crack. And then nobody, nobody can feel safe anymore,” he said.

He emphasized that the consequences of Russia’s war are felt worldwide — from energy and food crises to rising global poverty and climate change. He recalled that it all began with the illegal occupation of Crimea in 2014, which later escalated into a full-scale invasion accompanied by systematic war crimes: deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure, missile strikes, and the forced deportation of thousands of Ukrainian children.

“These are not isolated abuses. These are calculated efforts to erase Ukraine’s identity and undermine its sovereignty and territorial integrity — all in open defiance of the UN Charter. Let me be clear: Lithuania will never recognize Russia’s illegal occupation and annexation of Ukrainian lands. Ukraine’s borders are not up for negotiation. Attempts to redraw them by force are unacceptable. The UN Charter is not a menu to pick from. It is the binding foundation of the international order. Ukraine is also not the only target. Russia continues to occupy Georgian regions, destabilizes Moldova, and uses proxies and mercenaries to spread instability across the Sahel, the Middle East and beyond,” he said.

Nausėda also called for increased political, military, humanitarian, and economic support for Ukraine, noting that Lithuania has already provided over EUR 1 billion in aid, half of which is for reconstruction and long-term recovery.

He further urged an end to purchases of Russian energy, which, he said, only prolong the war and deepen suffering.

As reported, the UN General Assembly’s high-level general debate opened on Tuesday in New York. This year’s theme is Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights, with speeches expected from about 150 heads of state and government.

Photo: Gitanas Nausėda/X