Thank you President. And many thanks for your briefing, USG DiCarlo. Norway also welcomes the participation by President Zelenskyy.
President Zelensky, we hear you loud and clear. Norway will continue to stand with Ukraine, and the Ukrainian people. Our support is unwavering.
We are appalled by Russia’s continued war of aggression, which is a gross violation of international law and the UN Charter.
The recent, new waves of attacks against Ukraine again clearly demonstrates Russia’s complete disregard for the horrible suffering of millions of people that they cause. We are alarmed by the escalation, and brutality, of the massive attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. These attacks have killed many civilians and hit a large number of power facilities across Ukraine.
Damage to energy infrastructure brings great humanitarian harm, and will certainly cause illness and death during the cold winter.
The attacks serve no military purpose. The aim seems to be to terrorize the population. They are illegal, and they may constitute war crimes. Those responsible must be held to account.
There is also reason for grave concern regarding the situations in and around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. We support the efforts of the IAEA to establish a nuclear safety and security protection zone. Russia must immediately withdraw its military forces.
President,
The war against Ukraine is a tragedy. For individuals. For the Ukrainian society; and its people for generations to come.
It also has serious, global ramifications. We welcome the renewed Black Sea Grain Initiative, which is essential in easing global food insecurities.
Again, Norway urges Russia to immediately cease its unlawful and senseless aggression. Russia must immediately end its military operations in the territory of Ukraine, and withdraw. And we call for safe, rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian organizations to people in need. We reiterate our demand that all civilians must be protected. International humanitarian law and international human rights law must be fully respected and implemented.
Russia must end this horrible war.