On 24 February 2025, three years since the onset of hostilities in Ukraine, the United Nations General Assembly convened to consider two draft resolutions aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict. The Assembly ultimately adopted a resolution submitted by Ukraine and several European states, which reaffirmed Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter.
Mariana Betsa, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, introducing the resolution, described the moment as a historic crossroads. She called on UN Member States to adopt the resolution to send a clear message that the global community supports a world where nations are not divided into “predators and prey.” She stressed that beyond just calling for a ceasefire, the resolution provided clear guidance for addressing the global repercussions of the war.
At the same time, the United States of America introduced an alternative resolution titled “The Path to Peace,” which called for an urgent end to the conflict and a lasting peace between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. However, the draft was met with resistance due to its omission of explicit references to the origin of the conflict, as well as the principles of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ambassador Dorothy Shea, United States Chargé d’affaires to the United Nations, argued that previous resolutions had failed to stop the war and stated that a new approach was needed—one that focused on securing a durable peace. She urged support for the American draft over Ukraine’s, emphasising the need for a resolution that could garner broader consensus among Member States.
After the General Assembly adopted the resolution proposed by Ukraine and the European states, Ambassador Beresford-Hill, speaking on behalf of the Order of Malta, was among the delegations that delivered statements following the vote. He emphasised the immense suffering endured by the Ukrainian people over the past three years, and highlighted the devastating toll of the conflict, describing the profound anguish, loss of life, and the long-term psychological and physical scars inflicted upon the population. He asserted that achieving a just and lasting peace requires more than rhetoric; it necessitates an unwavering commitment to international law and the protection of fundamental rights and human dignity.
Ambassador Beresford-Hill underscored how the Order remains as one of the few entities still on the ground in Ukraine touching on how Malteser International, in collaboration with the Ukrainian Association of the Order of Malta, has been providing critical humanitarian assistance since the war began. He stressed that the essentials of survival—clean drinking water, food, shelter, warmth, and medical care—are not privileges but fundamental human rights that remain out of reach for many civilians caught in the conflict.
Ambassador Beresford-Hill reaffirmed the Order’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations both within Ukraine and beyond. Special mention was given to amputation patients, who continue to receive prosthetic limbs, as well as comprehensive rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and psychological care. He also noted that the Order continues to provide psychosocial support to victims of violence, particularly children and young adults, as well as drawing attention to the comfort and assistance provided to the elderly.
Ambassador Beresford-Hill urged the international community to recognise that the power to end the suffering lies within the very halls of the United Nations. He cautioned that words alone are insufficient, emphasising that the credibility of the UN and the international rules-based order depends not on repeated condemnations and blame but on tangible actions that uphold the founding principles of the organisation.
The Ambassador’s statement concluded with a call to action, stressing that suffering is neither inevitable nor necessary, and urging world leaders to apply the values of justice and human dignity to bring an end to the brutal war. He expressed hope that those affected by the conflict—on all sides—will one day reclaim not just peace, but a future marked by security, stability, and the opportunity to lead dignified and fulfilling lives. His final message was a reminder of the moral obligation to love one’s neighbor and to seek forgiveness when necessary, invoking the very principles upon which the United Nations was established.
