Russia Is the Aggressor and the One That Must De-Escalate, UK Tells UN Security Council on Ukraine

The UK told the UN Security Council that Iran is helping arm Russia’s war against Ukraine, spreading deadly weapons and technology from Ukraine to the Middle East. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied UK Ambassador James Kariuki speaks at a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine, April 20, 2026, in New York. Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google The United Kingdom told the UN Security Council on Monday that Russia is the aggressor and “is the one that must de-escalate and engage in meaningful dialogue,” as London renewed calls for a full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine. The statement was delivered by Ambassador James Kariuki, the UK’s chargé d’affaires to the UN, during  a Council meeting in New York on Monday. Kariuki said the Security Council had convened because Russia “continues to violate the Charter it is bound to uphold” and described Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine as “a deliberate act of aggression intended to erase another state’s identity.” Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . He said Russia had continued to subject Ukrainian cities to drone and missile strikes in civilian areas in recent weeks. Referring to a major attack last Wednesday night, Kariuki said 17 civilians were killed and at least 98 others injured in a strike involving 659 drones and 44 missiles. Despite discussion of an Easter ceasefire, Kariuki said Russia had launched more than 200 drones a day on average so far this month, exceeding even March’s record levels. He argued that a “full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire is essential,” echoing calls made by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the UN General Assembly. “A full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire is essential – that is what the Secretary-General has called for, and that is what the General Assembly called just a few weeks ago.” Other Topics of Interest France to Join Steering Committee Investigating Russia’s Crimes in Ukraine France’s participation aims to strengthen international efforts to bring accountability. Kariuki also accused Iran of helping sustain Russia’s war effort through military cooperation that has spread weapons and weapons technology beyond Ukraine and into the Middle East, in defiance of the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions. He warned that the outcome of the war would have consequences far beyond Europe, saying that if Russia succeeds in changing borders by force in Ukraine, it would set a dangerous example for the rest of the world. “So what we say in this chamber matters,” Kariuki told the Council. “In Ukraine, Russia is the aggressor. Russia is the one that must show restraint, that must de-escalate, that must engage in meaningful dialogue.” He added that the way the Council responds will shape not only the outcome in Ukraine, but also “the rules that govern our collective security.” Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.