UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ELEVENTH EMERGENCY SPECIAL SESSION (ESS) – UKRAINE
Statement by H.E. Ms. Beth Delaney, Chargé d'affaires, Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations
24 Feburary 2026
Thank you President,
As we mark four years since Russia’s illegal and immoral full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, Australia reaffirms our steadfast support for Ukraine.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in blatant violation of international law, including the United Nations Charter – an unprovoked act of aggression against a sovereign, democratic neighbour.
Australia has committed over $1.7 billion in total assistance, including $1.5 billion in military support to help Ukraine defend itself.
Russia’s illegal invasion continues to cause terrible damage and loss of life in Ukraine.
Strikes on civilian areas and critical energy infrastructure in Ukraine have left civilians to endure prolonged blackouts and freezing temperatures during one of its harshest winters.
Australia has provided $40 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, including $10 million announced in January 2026, to help keep lights on, homes heated and essential services operating.
Australia commends the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people, and mourns Ukraine's citizens and defenders that have paid the ultimate price for their nation, as well as the generational toll inflicted by Russia's brutality.
Russia’s aggression continues to cause harm globally. Its actions are compounding human suffering, including for countries already grappling with severe food and energy insecurity.
Since the outset of the invasion, Australia has made clear that Russia, and those enabling its illegal war of aggression, will face consequences.
Today we announced our single largest sanctions package since the invasion began. These sanctions listings target the finance and banking, oil and gas, transportation, defence, aeronautical, science and technology sectors. They are designed to reduce Russian revenues and further constrain its ability to continue its illegal and brutal invasion.
With today’s announcement, Australia has now imposed more than 1800 sanctions in response to Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Australia has also lowered the Russian Oil Price Cap from USD47.60 a barrel to USD44.10, alongside action taken by our international partners to further drive down the market value of Russian crude oil.As our Prime Minister has said, Ukraine’s fight is a struggle for the international rule of law. A struggle for the rules that have underpinned peace, stability and prosperity for decades.
We will continue to advocate for a world where international rules are clear, mutually agreed and consistently followed – a world where not country dominates, and no country is dominated.
Australia remains deeply concerned by the serious reports of war crimes and human rights violations in Russia’s war and reaffirm our expectation these allegations are investigated.
Australia once again calls on Russia to adhere fully to its obligations under international law, including in relation to the protection of civilians and treatment of prisoners of war.
President,
Alongside our partners, Australia remains a strong supporter of all efforts – including those of the US – to achieve a peace deal for Ukraine that ends Russia’s war and safeguards security and stability in Europe.
We reiterate our position that any negotiations about the future of Ukraine should include Ukraine, and any peace settlement should uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while also ensuring Russia does not renew its aggression.
The international community must come together to advance a just and lasting peace in Ukraine because we cannot allow aggression to be normalised or tolerated with impunity.
Thank you.