Thank you, 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 Mozambican presidency for the opportunity to address the Council, and the briefers for sharing their valuable updates.
In recent months, Ukraine has endured some of the worst attacks since the start of Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression. Every single day, the devastating consequences are felt by civilians around the country. More than 10.800 civilians have lost their lives – the actual number likely higher - and many more have been injured, including a growing number of children.
Russia’s systematic and detrimental attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure are heinous and illegal, as they target civilian objects and objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population.. Since 22 March, there have been five massive attacks damaging over 80 percent of Ukraine’s non-nuclear power plants. This has included dangerous attacks on hydroelectric infrastructure with added risk of environmental disasters in case of dam breaches.
The attacks have disrupted the access to electricity and water for millions of Ukrainians, particularly in Kharkiv where Russia is carrying out a dreadful campaign of daily attacks. As a consequence, Ukraine has been forced to impose restrictions on power consumption in several regions across the country. Unless Russia immediately halts its attacks and the energy infrastructure is quickly restored, there will be grave consequences for the civilian population during the coming summer - and even worse in the winter ahead.
We reiterate that attacks against civilians and civilian objects are strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law and must stop immediately.
President,
We urgently call for full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all areas in Ukraine, including those temporarily occupied by Russia. Humanitarian relief must be allowed to reach all civilians in need.
We are also appalled by the continued reports of attacks on humanitarian workers and aid storage facilities. Just a few weeks ago, an airstrike caused considerable damage to the offices of the Danish Refugee Council in Kharkiv, forcing a temporary suspension of operations. We stress, once again, that humanitarian actors and their live-saving operations must be protected at all times.
In closing, the Nordics continue to stand with Ukraine and its people, who have shown exceptional bravery and resilience in defending their freedom and our shared values.
We continue to support efforts to ensure full accountability for international crimes committed in and against Ukraine. We echo the repeated calls for Russia to immediately cease all hostilities and withdraw its troops from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.
We extend our full support to the upcoming and first Summit on Peace in Ukraine in Switzerland next month and hope that many countries will join. The Russian aggression and its detrimental global consequences demand united efforts, firmly based on international law, including the UN Charter, and in line with Ukraine’s Peace Formula.
Thank you.