Joint Nordic Statement: Security Council briefing on Ukraine
Statement by H.E. Ms. Elina Kalkku,
Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations
on behalf of the Nordic countries
Security Council briefing on Ukraine
26 March. 2025
Madame President,
I have the honour to address the Council on behalf of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Finland, and I thank the Assistant Secretary-General for her briefing.
To achieve peace, we have to talk about its contours, and we note the ongoing discussions to this end.
Ukraine deserves peace. A peace that is comprehensive, just and lasting, based on the rules and principles enshrined in the Charter, and international law. Any other short-term solution risks renewed conflict, or aggression elsewhere. The Nordic countries stand ready to support all efforts towards a sustainable peace.
Madame President,
Nothing underlines the need for peace as concretely as the dire humanitarian situation in Ukraine.
Close to four million Ukrainians are displaced internally, and almost seven million have had to flee their home country. The unlawful deportation of thousands of children by Russia is abhorrent.
Almost 13 million people continue to require urgent humanitarian assistance and protection, including children and persons with disabilities. Especially in the front-line areas, the limited humanitarian access is making it hard and dangerous for humanitarian workers to deliver life-saving assistance to people most affected. In the areas occupied by the Russian Federation, more than one million vulnerable people remain largely without any humanitarian response.
The Nordics remain substantial humanitarian donors, to Ukraine and elsewhere. We encourage other donors to maintain or increase the life-saving assistance.
While we talk about peace, Russia has continued its ruthless attacks against civilians and civilian objects in utter disregard for the laws of war.
Just two days ago, on Monday, a Russian missile attack injured dozens of civilians and damaged a school and a hospital in the city of Sumy. On Sunday, Russian attacks in Kyiv killed a father, his 5-year-old daughter and an 80-year-old woman.
These acts unavoidably raise the question, whether Russia is genuinely willing to move towards peace, or whether it is using the discussions as a mere charade, without giving up the ultimate goal to subjugate Ukraine and its people.
Last night, just hours after the agreement on safe navigation had been announced, Russia directed a drone attack on the Ukrainian port of Mykolaiv.
Ukraine has expressed its readiness to immediately enact a 30-day ceasefire. Russia, on the other hand, agreed only to a limited ceasefire, with several pre-conditions. This speaks volumes: Russia seems to continue to choose war while we speak.
Across the globe, people are suffering from soaring food and fuel prices, as the war continues to disrupt supply chains and destabilize international markets.
Madam President,
It is up to all of us now to defend the international peace architecture, built on the UN Charter, wherever it is threatened. It is in the interest of all of us to ensure that might does not make right, and internationally-recognized borders are not moved through the use of force.
The Nordic countries want to underline that every sovereign state must maintain its right to choose its own alliances, and its legal defence and security arrangements.
We note the new agreement on safe navigation in the Black Sea, which should be implemented without delay and without additional conditions.
Madam President,
Despite the immeasurable hardships caused by Russia’s invasion, Ukraine continues to defend its freedom, its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Nordic countries will stand by Ukraine in this, as long as is needed.
I thank you.
