President,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden, and my own country, Norway.
Every day, Russia chooses to continue its brutal war of aggression and attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. The devastating attacks on 7 and 8 October, killing dozens of civilians, including children, serve as a stark reminder of the immense and unacceptable human suffering caused by Russia.
These attacks come as Ukraine stands on the brink of what is likely to become the harshest winter for the population since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. While temperatures fall, Russia continues its relentless strikes against Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure, depriving civilians of heat, electricity and other essential services. Across the country, these attacks are undermining the provision of essential services and the ability of communities to meet their basic needs.
In the temporarily occupied city of Oleshky, the situation is dire. The humanitarian crisis is deep, with little or no access to food or medicine, and no safe evacuation routes.
This is but one devastating example of Russia's complete disregard for the lives of Ukrainian civilians and its continued failure to comply with international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
Russia must ensure the protection of civilians, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and the provision of essential food and medical assistance to affected populations, and allow and facilitate humanitarian evacuations. We call on Russia to agree to an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire as a first step towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on international law.
Above all, we must remember that this discussion is about the people of Ukraine, who have endured the human cost of occupation since Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014.
It is about the thousands of Ukrainians serving on the front line, courageously defending their country and their communities. It is about the Ukrainian men and women who have survived conflict-related sexual violence in detention, hundreds of cases of which have been verified by the United Nations.
It is about civilians unlawfully detained and subjected to torture and other inhuman treatment for doing their job, teaching their language, preserving their culture, or simply telling the truth.
And it is about the unlawfully deported and forcibly transferred children, separated from their families and communities, and subjected to efforts aimed at erasing their Ukrainian identity. We yet again call on Russia to immediately release all unlawfully detained civilians and return the illegally deported and transferred children.
One week ago, Russia once again issued a threat to foreign nationals and diplomatic staff in Ukraine. It is Russia that should withdraw its troops and leave Ukraine. Let there be no doubt: we are staying in Kyiv. Our support to Ukraine is unwavering. And we will continue to demand that Russia ceases its war of aggression, complies with its obligations under international law, and engages constructively in efforts towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.