Mr President,
I would also like to thank OCHA Director, Ms Doughten, and Ms Caitlin Howarth, Director of the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab's Conflict Observatory team, for their briefings. We welcome that voices of science are being brought to address this Council.
In Ukraine, in the meantime, facts confirm the continuation of massive attacks on the civilian population and infrastructure.
Switzerland condemns all these attacks, which have killed and injured civilians in populated areas. Last week alone, several children were injured, and schools and a hospital were damaged. As Ukraine fights for its future, all those who can build it, starting with children, must be protected. The civilian population and civilian infrastructure must never be targets. We once again call to strictly respect international humanitarian law and protect the civilian population and infrastructure.
We have observed an increase in attacks on critical energy infrastructures. In total, nine regions across Ukraine, including those far from the front lines, have experienced disruptions to their electricity supply in the past week. In addition, the situation around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remains worrying. The five principles established by the IAEA for the prevention of an accident at this nuclear power plant must be respected in all circumstances.
All aspects of life are affected by these ongoing attacks. Millions of homes have been left without electricity, heating or water supplies due to power cuts. The worrying developments in Kharkiv Oblast demonstrate the humanitarian impact of the intensified hostilities.
Imagine for a moment what it means to live your daily life in Ukraine today:
- Workers who travel to work by train are putting their lives at risk because of attacks on railway installations, as has happened in Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Donetsk and Cherkasy, among others.
- Students who rely on e-learning are denied access to education due to power cuts.
- And humanitarian personnel risk their safety at risk as they deliver essential aid under already difficult conditions. Under international humanitarian law, humanitarian actors must never be attacked, and their mission must be respected and protected.
Mr President,
Switzerland reiterates that Russia must put an end to its military aggression against Ukraine.
We remain determined to do everything in our power to contribute to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in accordance with the United Nations Charter. It is in this spirit that Switzerland will host the High-Level Summit for Peace in Ukraine on June 15 and 16.
We are aware that the road to a genuine peace process will be a long one. However, Switzerland is convinced that setting up a platform for high-level discussions represents an important step forward. We hope to be able to count on the participation from all regions of the world to create a common understanding of what a possible peace process requires, and to define together a roadmap on how to involve both sides in a future peace process.
I thank you