Joint Nordic Statement on Maintenance of International Peace & Security in Ukraine

Check Against Delivery

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the five Nordic countries, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden – and my own country Denmark.

The Nordics are committed to the protection of civilians in armed conflict as a cornerstone of international humanitarian law.  Globally and at the country level – in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the Americas and Europe – our commitment to humanitarian action is resolute.

For more than a year now, Ukraine has been bravely resisting a brutal war of aggression initiated by Russia. The devastating consequences of the war also reach beyond Ukrainian borders – to the Horn of Africa, Yemen and beyond – where millions of people have been pushed deeper into food insecurity due to rising food and energy prices across the world. Russia’s war against Ukraine has compounded many global challenges, making it an urgent matter of international peace and security – and thus a matter of concern to all Member States.

Madam President,

Russia’s indiscriminate missile attacks across Ukrainian cities continue to cause harm to civilians and severe damage to civilian property and infrastructure, illustrating Russia’s complete disregard for international humanitarian law. The consequences of these brutal attacks are extensive and far-reaching, and the situation is especially dire close to the front lines, where the need for protection and humanitarian assistance, such as food, medicines and shelter, is alarmingly high. For many, the consequences of the war are long-lasting, damaging the very foundation for recovery and healing, both at the personal and the societal level. In this regard, the Nordics welcome the establishment of a Register of Damage, documenting claims of damage caused by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, as recommended by the UN General Assembly in its resolution ES-11/5.

At the same time, delivering humanitarian assistance to those in need is notoriously difficult and dangerous.

The situation is a horrific reminder of the need to ensure protection for all civilians. Under international humanitarian law, civilians and civilian objects must be protected and humanitarian actors must have full, safe and unhindered access. We condemn in the strongest terms attacks on humanitarian operations, such as the attacks on a Ukrainian Red Cross warehouse in Odessa and on medical facilities in Mykolaiv on May 8. And we call on Russia to allow full, safe, and unhindered access for humanitarian actors.

Madam President,

Further to the tragic consequences for people in Ukraine, Russia´s illegal invasion has had catastrophic global effects. The worsening food crisis and the volatility of global food and energy prices have impacted countries around the world. The World Food Programme estimates that an astounding 345 million people will experience acute food insecurity this year. This is the equivalent of more than the entire population of the United States of America. The world’s poorest and those in the most vulnerable situations tend to be the ones most affected by such crises.

As a result, the need for humanitarian assistance globally has increased. At the same time, food assistance and humanitarian operations have become more expensive, exacerbating the gap between humanitarian needs and available funding.

Madam President,

Until Russia ends its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, the continuation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative remains imperative to avoid a worsening of the global food crisis. Up until earlier this month, the initiative had ensured the export of as much as 30 million tonnes of grain and foodstuff, thereby helping to stabilise global food prices and allowing access to food for people at risk of famine.

We welcome the active engagement by the Secretary-General and Türkiye, and urge Russia to ensure a long-term rollover of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, in line with the Istanbul agreement – and to immediately suspend its military operations. The extension and full implementation of this initiative is critical in order to avoid a further deterioration of the global food crisis.

Madam President,

The Nordics will continue to stand with Ukraine and its people. We commend Ukraine’s initiative for a just peace and support the various initiatives  that are seeking accountability for international crimes committed in connection with Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Thank you.