Thank you, Mr. Chair
Ukraine is living through a decisive moment in its history. Our support has rarely been more important than it is now. That was the message conveyed yesterday by Norway’s Foreign Minister and the Minister of Labour and Inclusion, as they visited Ukraine.
Ukraine’s fight for self-defence has had our unwavering support from the very beginning – and that support continues. Recently we almost tripled our support, which is being immediately translated into support for artillery shells, drone capacity, and investment in Ukraine’s own defence industry.
We welcome the ongoing efforts for a just and lasting peace. Ukraine should be in a position of strength, and be at the table, when decisions about its future are made. Norway commends Ukraine’s engagement with the United States and European partners. A strong European voice is important when Ukraine’s future is being discussed.
These were some of our prime minister’s messages to President Zelensky when he visited Oslo last week.
Even as yet another report displays the brutality of the Russian aggression, this time through The Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine’s findings that Russian authorities have committed crimes against humanity, the Ukrainian people continue to stand firm under the strong leadership of President Zelensky. Brave Ukrainian former political prisoners and prisoners of war in Russia have borne testimony to this over the past weeks’ side-events here in Vienna.
Fighting impunity for international crimes remains a core priority in Norway’s foreign policy. Through the Nansen Support Programme, we continue to assist efforts to document potential war crimes.
Mr Chair,
This week we marked the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members. We call upon the immediate release of all three OSCE officials Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov, and Dmytro Shabanov.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.