Joint Nordic Statement: UNSC Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine

Statement by H.E. Ms. Anna Johannsdottir,
Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations
on behalf of the Nordic countries
Security Council: Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine
The latest situation in Ukraine, including the humanitarian situation 
29 May, 2025

President,

Thank you for giving me the floor. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the five Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden - and my own country, Iceland.

The Nordics have been stalwart supporters of the UN since its foundation.  We are and always will be friends of the UN Charter, and we will continue to stand by it.  Our common security depends on it.  The General Assembly has repeatedly condemned Russia’s blatant violations of international law, including the UN Charter. Russia will be held to account.

No one wants an end to this war more than Ukrainians. We have joined Ukraine and international partners, including the US, in calling for a full, unconditional ceasefire, to which Ukraine has already committed more than two months ago. A ceasefire would end the suffering and allow for meaningful talks.

It is now for Russia to reciprocate. Instead, Russia prevaricates. Instead, Russia continues to launch waves of attacks on Ukrainian cities, which in the last five days have caused at least 160 casualties.

Yet again, innocent children are paying the price for Russia’s brutal war. The Humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine has said that no place is safe.  This is on top of many months of targeted attacks on civilian infrastructure, residential neighbourhoods and energy facilities.  And all this at enormous cost in lives and the destruction of property and with total disregard for Russia’s obligations under international humanitarian law.

Russia could end this war tomorrow.  Instead, Russia continues to pursue maximalist aims.

Russia has consistently claimed that there are so-called “root causes” behind its war against Ukraine, as if it were somehow forced to act. But this is a false narrative: Russia made a deliberate choice to invade a sovereign nation – an unprovoked act in blatant violation of international law.

President,

Ukraine and the Ukrainian people have shown themselves to have extraordinary reserves of courage to provide resistance. They have prevailed for over three years and three months. 

All peace-loving countries that value the rule of law and international law, including the UN Charter, must unite to support Ukraine’s struggle. And there can be no justification for continuing material or political support to Russia. It must stop – now.

This war must end. Not only is Ukraine’s freedom and independence at stake – the credibility and integrity of the international system and this very institution is at stake. The neo-imperial and colonial ambitions of Russia have no place in the 21st century.

We reaffirm our commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes as we, hopefully, move closer towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the UN Charter and international law.

I thank you.