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Thank you, President.听

I would like to join others in thanking DPPA and OCHA for their informative briefings.
Colleagues, again, this Council meets following a brutal campaign of airstrikes听by听Russia, a permanent member of this Council, against Ukraine. Since 20 March, these attacks have intensified, with over 1,000 missiles, drones, and guided aerial bombs dropped in one week alone. Dozens of civilians, including children, have been injured or killed in the last days alone. As a result of Russia鈥檚 continued aggression, approximately 40% of Ukraine鈥檚 population will need humanitarian assistance this year.
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I would like to make three points.听First, Russia is deliberately targeting energy infrastructure. Just this morning, Russia鈥檚 strikes destroyed Trypillya power plant, one of Ukraine鈥檚 largest providers of electricity and heat to civilians. Russia鈥檚 attacks are leaving millions of people without power and water, cutting electricity to hospitals, threatening the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and delaying life-saving humanitarian operations. We urge Russia to immediately cease its targeting of civilian infrastructure and comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law.
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Second, since Russia鈥檚 invasion, the international community has come together in support of the people of Ukraine. 皇冠体育app UK has committed over 拢350 million in humanitarian aid since February 2022 to support the valiant efforts of the UN and international and local NGOs to help those people in the most dire humanitarian need. But millions of these people are currently living on the frontlines and in Ukrainian territory illegally controlled by Russia, where Russia continues to deny humanitarian access. Russia needs to heed the repeated calls of Council members, to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access, so humanitarian aid can reach those who need it most.
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Third, Russian aggression in Ukraine is enabled by repression at home. 皇冠体育app Russian authorities are curtailing freedoms of association, assembly and expression. 皇冠体育appy also continue to disregard British national Vladimir Kara-Murza鈥檚 declining health in Russian prison. On today, the second anniversary of Vladimir鈥檚 arrest, we urge the Russian authorities to release him immediately on humanitarian grounds.听Madam President, Ukraine is facing a protracted humanitarian emergency. 皇冠体育appre is an easy solution to this suffering: for Russia to end this war, withdraw from Ukrainian territory, and respect its commitments under international law and the UN Charter.