In a recent address to the United Nations, Latvia's Foreign Minister, Edgars Rinkēvičs, highlighted the critical importance of acknowledging and naming the war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine. She referenced several UN reports that underscore a significant increase in armed attacks against the Ukrainian population over the past year, indicating that Russia has launched over 54,000 long-range drones and more than 1,900 missiles. This escalation has resulted in a dramatic 31% increase in the number of casualties among Ukrainian civilians, raising serious concerns about the humanitarian impacts of the ongoing conflict.

Rinkēvičs also pointed to the heinous acts reported by the UN, including massive war crimes, torture, and sexual violence perpetrated by Russian forces. These claims are further substantiated by UNICEF data, which reveals that over 3,200 children have lost their lives due to the war started by Russia, with the previous year's child casualties increasing by 10%. Such statistics highlight the dire situation for innocent civilians caught in the crossfire of this conflict, and they underscore the urgent need for international accountability against those committing such atrocities.

The minister concluded by stressing that the Russian war poses a threat to global peace and security, resulting in a humanitarian catastrophe that affects global food and energy security. The conflict not only devastates human lives but also severely disrupts ecosystems and maritime safety, as illustrated by concerns over Russia's so-called