UN Security Council Briefing on Maintenance of Peace and Security in Ukraine - Nordic Statement

Thank you, President.

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

We thank OCHA for yet another alarming briefing, and we commend the bravery and professionalism of all humanitarian workers.

President,

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has caused immense human suffering. According to UNHCR, there are nearly 4 million internally displaced in Ukraine, and 6,8 million refugees from Ukraine have been recorded globally. With sub-zero temperatures, a staggering 14,6 million people in Ukraine are currently in need of humanitarian assistance.

Over the weekend we saw yet another Russian wave of missile attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Not only does this expose civilians, hospitals and schools to the harsh winter conditions, it endangers the safety and security of Ukraine’s nuclear sites – as these require a secure off-site power supply.  

Throughout the war, Russia has shown a blatant disregard for international humanitarian law. Humanitarian access to occupied areas has been denied, civilians and civilian objects have been consciously targeted, children have forcefully been abducted and prisoners of war have been systematically tortured.  

***

President, these countless violations of international humanitarian law illustrate that Russia has chosen terror to achieve its political goal: the subjugation of Ukraine, and the annexation of sovereign Ukrainian territory.

Over the years we have heard different Russian attempts to justify its aggression. Claims that Ukraine or NATO were poised to attack Russia served only one purpose: to hide the simple truth that Russia’s actions were nothing but a violation of international law and the UN charter.

***

President, as the aggression continues, we need to remind ourselves that this is a Russian war of choice. Russia could end it tomorrow. The international community must remain firm in its support for a just and sustainable peace in line with international law, the UN charter and relevant GA-resolutions.

Any illusion that Russia advocates a more equitable, just, and fair world must be dispelled. When the international community sought to revitalize multilateral cooperation through the Pact for the Future, Russia attempted to derail it. When Ukraine prepared grain shipments to mitigate the global consequences of the aggression, Russia cynically targeted ships and port infrastructure in Odessa to stop the deliveries.

***

President, Ukraine and its partners have been ready for peace since day one. However, a settlement where aggression is rewarded, or where independent states are denied the right to decide its own security arrangements, risks being neither sustainable nor conducive to international peace and security.

Until a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace has been reached in line with international law and the UN charter, we demand that Russia ensures safe, timely and unimpeded humanitarian access to the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. We demand that Russia cease its attacks on civilians and civilian objects. And we demand that Russia allows the UN and the ICRC to visit Ukrainian prisoners of war.

President, Russia’s aggression, and violations of international humanitarian law, must come to an end. 

Thank you.