Melnyk at UN Security Council warns: Ukraine's patience is not unlimited

Ukraine's permanent representative to the UN, Andriy Melnyk, warned the UN Security Council on Tuesday that Ukraine's patience is not unlimited and hinted that Kyiv could change its approach if the council continues to hesitate in acting against Russian aggression.

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

"However, our patience is not unlimited. The Security Council should consider how long the 'wait and see' approach can be used – if it continues, it cannot be ruled out that Ukraine will change its approach," Melnyk stated.

The diplomat also remarked that even the air defense shield built around Moscow can no longer protect military targets, and Russian propagandists are already admitting that the boomerang of war started by Vladimir Putin has returned to Russian territory.

Concluding his speech, Melnyk directly addressed the Russian representative, demanding the immediate liberation of occupied Ukrainian territories. "You will never succeed in holding the occupied lands. Never. Get out of Ukraine as soon as possible," he urged.

Earlier, the UN reported that May 2026 was the deadliest month for civilians in Ukraine since April 2022, with at least 274 civilians killed in Russian shelling.