Thank you, President.
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the five Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway – and my own country, Sweden.
We thank the DPPA and OCHA for their briefings, and we commend the bravery and professionalism of all humanitarian workers.
President,
We meet in the wake of renewed, large-scale Russian attacks against civilians and civilian objects in Ukraine. The recent drone and missile barrage on Ternopil, Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk claimed at least 25 civilian lives, hundreds of injured, and caused extensive electricity black-outs.
This is no coincidence. As we approach the fourth winter of Russia’s full-scale invasion, we once again witness Russia’s deliberate targeting of residential areas and energy infrastructure across Ukraine.
In addition, Russia continues its attacks on humanitarian personnel. On 14 October, four clearly marked UN trucks were attacked by Russian drones as they were delivering aid to Kherson. The UN has confirmed this attack.
The purpose of Russia’s recurring assaults is clear: to destabilize, to deepen the humanitarian suffering, and to erode the resilience of the Ukrainian people. In essence, it is a systematic strategy of terror against civilians, aimed at fulfilling Russia’s political objective: the subjugation of Ukraine and/or the annexation of its sovereign territory.
Yet, as in previous years, Russia will fail. We remain in awe of Ukraine’s resilience.
President,
On 21 October the Independent International Commission of Inquiry released another report on Russia’s continued violations of International Humanitarian Law.
The report concludes that Russia’s targeted drone attacks against civilians form part of a coordinated policy that not only amounts to war-crimes, but – even more gravely – amounts to the crimes against humanity of murder and the forcible transfer of population.
We cannot allow these attacks to be met with impunity. There must be accountability for the crimes committed against and within Ukraine.
Appeasement, or a lack of action, would only embolden the aggressor, and risk sowing instability elsewhere.
President,
The Nordics will continue to support a just and sustainable peace, in accordance with International law and the UN Charter. The Nordic countries do not recognize spheres of influence or territorial acquisitions through the use of force.
We urge Russia to immediately cease its aggression and to comply with International Humanitarian Law. Russia must protect civilians and humanitarian workers, return the forcibly transferred and unlawfully deported children. And it must accept that Ukraine – like any other country – has the sovereign right to choose its own future.
President,
To sum up. Russia’s actions demonstrate a clear lack of genuine intent to pursue peace. We must remember that this is a Russian war of choice. If President Putin so wished, he could cease the aggression and end the war tomorrow.
Thank you.