The fourth anniversary of the war in Ukraine – a UN call for a ceasefire

Speaking to reporters in Geneva on Tuesday, Annalena Baerbock, President of the United Nations General Assembly, stressed the need for an immediate, complete and unconditional ceasefire.

She reiterated that any peace agreement should be based on the UN Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions – that is, respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.

added: “Four years ago, people in Europe woke up to another world, because generations like mine had always enjoyed the blessing of living in peace. But that changed four years ago with Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine.”

2025 is the deadliest year

In turn, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, said 2025 was the deadliest year for civilians since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. At least 2,500 civilians were killed and more than 12,000 injured last year. This represents an increase of more than 30% compared to 2024, according to the UN coordinator.

Today, Mr. Chemali said, we are witnessing the devastating impact of systematic attacks on energy infrastructure, which have cut off electricity, heating and water supplies across the country, and in some cases left entire cities without electricity and water for weeks.

He explained that throughout the winter there were more than 3,000 uninhabitable buildings in Kiev, which poses a serious danger to the most vulnerable groups – such as the elderly, people with mobility and health disabilities, as well as families with children. He stressed the need to put an end to this type of energy weaponization.

Matthias Schmale also confirmed that there are up to a million former soldiers who need to be reintegrated into society, “and of course many of them suffer from chronic injuries, including amputations and disabilities.”

Current estimates put rehabilitation costs at US$590 billion over ten years, equivalent to three times Ukraine’s GDP last year.

Ukrainians look to the future

On the other hand, UNHCR reported an increase in the number of people who had to be evacuated from areas adjacent to the front lines during the past six months, as a result of pressure resulting from military attacks, in addition to the severe cold wave that swept the country this winter.

Philippe Leclerc, Regional Director for Europe and Regional Coordinator of UNHCR in Ukraine, said that Ukrainians are looking to the future, to the recovery of their country and their economy, “and to achieve this, they will need refugees.”

He explained that despite four years having passed since a brutal war, “Most of the refugees we survey regarding return intend to return. More than 60% of them intend to return.”