Joint Nordic Statement on Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine

Check Against Delivery

Thank you Madam President,

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

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The Nordic countries reiterate our condemnation of Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine, in blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, and the resolutions of the General Assembly. 

We join the widespread international condemnation of the military support provided by Iran, Belarus and the DPRK to Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. By transferring weapons and ammunition to Russia, these countries have chosen to stand with the aggressor. 

We call once again on Russia to withdraw its troops from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and cease all hostilities. Russia must stop its attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including humanitarian actors. Such attacks are strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law. Russia must return the Zaporizhzhia plant to the full control of Ukrainian authorities and allow the unhindered access of the IAEA to the plant. And it must allow the safe and unhindered access of humanitarian actors to all areas in Ukraine, including those temporarily occupied by Russia.

We deplore the environmental damage caused by Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine. Extensive use of anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions has left about 30 percent of Ukraine’s territory contaminated with unexploded remnants. The impact on Ukraine’s ability to produce and export food is felt globally. Russia’s deliberate attacks on granaries and attempts to block free navigation in the Black Sea further deepen global food insecurity. The Nordic countries support Ukraine’s increased mine action efforts to lay the foundations for recovery and reconstruction. 

The Nordics also reiterate our support for the work of the International Criminal Court, and take note of the issuance of arrest warrants against two additional Russian officials for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to a campaign of attacks against electric power plants and sub-stations.

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President, 

We are gravely concerned by the mounting evidence of Russia’s violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in Ukraine. The UN Commission of Inquiry and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have presented new evidence of sexual violence, summary executions, systematic use of torture, as well as forced deportations of Ukrainian children and other civilians in the temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine.

We continue to support all efforts to ensure full accountability for Russia’s international crimes in Ukraine, including progress towards the establishment of a special tribunal for the prosecution of the crime of aggression against Ukraine, and a future compensation mechanism. 

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The Nordic countries remain steadfast in our support to Ukraine and its people, who have shown exceptional bravery and resilience in defending their freedom and our shared values. We highlight the need to secure women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in all matters related to peace and security.   

We support all efforts to advance a just peace in line with Ukraine’s Peace Formula and based on international law, including the UN Charter, to ensure the full respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. 

Thank you.