Joint Nordic statement at UNSC Briefing on the Humanitarian Situation in Ukraine
Check Against Delivery
President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the five Nordic countries, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden – and my own country Denmark.
We thank the Ecuadorian presidency for the opportunity to address the Council, and the briefers for sharing their valuable updates.
The Nordic countries wish to highlight two points: (1) Continued attacks on civilians, and (2) Russia’s weaponisation of food.
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Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues to cause immeasurable suffering and aggravates the already dire humanitarian situation in Ukraine. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs foresees that 40 % of the Ukrainian population – close to 15 million people - will need humanitarian assistance in 2024. The Nordics call for full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, including to Russian occupied areas.
Russia’s indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including humanitarian actors and facilities, are strictly prohibited according to international humanitarian law and must be brought to an end. As winter sets in, Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure cause great concern.
Tragically, attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are not only taking place in Ukraine. We reiterate the importance of ensuring the protection of all civilians at all times in line with international humanitarian law.
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Russia’s war of aggression continues to create instability on global grain markets. Russia’s bombing of Ukrainian agrarian infrastructure and grain export facilities constitute a weaponisation of food in violation of international humanitarian law.
It is vital to ensure safe transport of food exports from Ukraine. We are pleased to see that the Black Sea corridor created and managed by Ukraine is working to sustain global food security.
The Nordics also welcome the extension of the “Grain from Ukraine Initiative” and are supportive of EU’s Solidarity Lanes. We continue our commitment to support humanitarian food assistance globally and to engage with partner countries in building longer-term food security.
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President,
The Nordics would like to reiterate our strongest condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. We will continue to support international efforts to ensure full accountability for all crimes committed in and against Ukraine.
The fact that Russia – a permanent member of the Security Council – continues to wage an illegal and brutal war continues to pose serious challenges far beyond Ukraine: It challenges the effectiveness and legitimacy of the Council; the Charter; and livelihoods, food and energy security across the globe.
We support Ukraine’s Peace Formula and welcome the growing global support for the ongoing diplomatic efforts to reach a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the principles of the UN Charter and the respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In closing, we reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine and our engagement to alleviate the global consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Russia must immediately and unconditionally withdraw its troops from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.