Ukraine's UN rep signals possible shift in approach: "Our patience is ​not endless"

Andrii Melnyk, Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, has said that Ukraine's patience is not unlimited and suggested Kyiv could change its approach if the UN Security Council continues to delay its response to Russian aggression.

Source: Melnyk at a UN Security Council meeting, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine

Details: Melnyk noted that over the past 15 months, Ukraine has repeatedly called on the Security Council to adopt a resolution for a full and unconditional ceasefire, but these efforts have not received an adequate response.

He said Kyiv remains ready for direct negotiations with Russia to achieve a just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter.

"But our patience is ​not endless. If the Security Council would further ​choose a wait-and-see approach, I cannot exclude that Ukraine may ​recalibrate and modify its offer," Melnyk said.

He also stated that even the air defence shield built around Moscow is no longer able to protect military targets and that Russian propagandists themselves are acknowledging that the consequences of the war launched by Vladimir Putin have returned to Russian territory.

Concluding his speech, he directly addressed the Russian representative, demanding the immediate withdrawal from occupied Ukrainian territories.

"You will never be able to hold occupied lands. Never. So get out of Ukraine as quickly as possible before it is too late," Melnyk said.

Background: According to the UN, May 2026 was the deadliest month for Ukraine's civilian population since April 2022, with at least 274 civilians killed as a result of Russian strikes.

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