51 UN member states urge Russia to end war and return deported Ukrainians

September 23, 2026 at 08:59 PM2 min

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Fifty-one UN member states issued a joint statement on September 23 calling on Russia to cease aggression, agree to a ceasefire, and join negotiations for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine. The statement, presented by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha before a UN Security Council meeting, also demanded the immediate return of detained, forcibly transferred, or deported Ukrainian civilians, especially children. The signatories condemned Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure and grain exports, which they said threaten global food security.

Key Facts

The joint statement was presented by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha before the UN Security Council meeting on September 23.
The signatories include most European countries, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama, and Morocco.
The statement demands the immediate, safe, and unconditional return of all arbitrarily detained, forcibly transferred, or deported Ukrainian civilians, particularly children.
The signatories expressed deep concern over Russian escalation against civilians and civilian infrastructure, noting a record number of casualties in recent months.
The United States did not join the statement.

The Joint Statement

Fifty-one UN member states issued a joint statement on September 23 calling on Russia to cease aggression, agree to a ceasefire, and constructively join negotiations for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine. The statement was presented by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha before the UN Security Council meeting on the same day. The signatories expressed deep concern over Russia's escalation against civilians and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine, which they said caused a record number of casualties in recent months. The statement also demanded the immediate, safe, and unconditional return of all arbitrarily detained, forcibly transferred, or deported Ukrainian civilians, particularly children.

Grain Exports and Black Sea

The signatories stated that Russia's actions are disrupting Ukrainian grain exports and creating risks for global food security. They expressed particular concern over attacks in the Black Sea and supported efforts to ensure freedom of navigation in the region. The statement called for the protection of commercial shipping and critical infrastructure in the Black Sea.

Signatories and Diplomatic Context

The signatories include most European countries, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama, and Morocco. The United States did not join the statement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly later in the session. Zelensky previously stated that Ukraine plans to use September and October to intensify diplomatic efforts to end the war, with the UN General Assembly in New York seen as a possible venue for new negotiations.