What did President Gitanas Nausėda of Lithuania say at the UN General Assembly (UNGA 81)?

He addressed the general debate on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, as the seventh speaker of the morning session.

The speech in brief

• Ukraine. He called Russia’s war the greatest threat to the international order, and said only a Ukrainian victory that secures its borders can guarantee peace.
• Russia’s losses. He cited about 1.5 million Russian casualties over 55 months, for 0.3% of Ukraine’s territory.
• Drones and lies. Military drones have repeatedly crossed into Lithuanian airspace in recent months, he said, alongside hybrid attacks and disinformation.
• AI. It must not become a tool of authoritarian control, manipulation or conflict. He pointed to the Vilnius Convention, the first international treaty on AI.
• History. He called for recognizing the crimes of totalitarian regimes, including the Soviet regime.
• The Middle East. He backed the Gaza ceasefire, aid access, Hamas’s disarmament and a two-state solution, and stood with the Gulf states.

In his own words

He spoke in Lithuanian. The English quotes are published translations.

Russia has already lost this war. However, its leadership is reluctant to admit defeat, fearing international legal accountability and possible retaliation from its own people.

“As the inevitable outcome draws nearer, the stakes are rising, and the Kremlin regime is increasingly being backed into a corner.”

“Ukraine still stands proudly as an independent state.”

“Kiek dar Ukrainos civilių gyvybių bus paaukota ant Rusijos karo aukuro?” How many more Ukrainian civilian lives will be sacrificed on the altar of Russia’s war?

Watch and read the full speech

Video of the address:

The UN posts the statement on its general debate website.

Every Day 1 speaker, in order: What happened on Day 1 of UNGA 81.