Mr. Chair,
Norway aligns with the EU statement, but in my national capacity let me add the following remarks:
Ukraine is the defensive party in a War, started by Russia, escalated by Russia and continued by Russia.
Ukraine is under armed attack. According to international law and the UN Charter, Ukraine has the right to defend itself. This right includes taking proportional and necessary measures, including on Russian territory. Whereas on the other side the Russian Federation started and continues this war in breach of the very same laws, the UN charter and the OSCE funding principles.
The majority of the fighting is still taking place in Ukraine, where fear and horror are ever-present. It is important to emphasize that the devastating consequences of this war would never have occurred if Russia had not attacked Ukraine. And will stop when Russia withdraws its forces from Ukraine
Ukraine, as a sovereign and independent state, holds the fundamental right to shape its own foreign policy and security arrangements, fully in line with international law and the Helsinki Final Act.
Chair,
Norway supports and will continue to support the Ukrainian people in all possible ways in their right to defend them self against the Russian aggressor.
Thank you.