UN Security Council Briefing on Maintenance of Peace and Security in Ukraine - Nordic Statement

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President, Colleagues

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the five Nordic States: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway – and my own country, Sweden.

Russia’s war of aggression is a flagrant violation of international law including the UN Charter. It is unprovoked and unjustified. It threatens peace and security not just in Europe but globally.

Russia - a permanent member of the Council that is mandated to uphold international peace and security – acts against the fundamentals of the United Nations and undermines the Security Council. Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is not an abstraction; it is the foundation for our global system of collective security. 

President, 

Thursday morning Russia launched nearly 700 drones and missiles against Ukrainian cities in one of the deadliest attacks of the year. The attack reportedly wounded more than 118 people and killed 18. This attack is but one of Russia’s many grave violations of international humanitarian law.

Russia’s war has resulted in immense human suffering, including thousands of civilian deaths, widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, and severe environmental and economic consequences. Thousands of Ukrainian children have been illegally deported and forcibly transferred, which is only one of Russia’s countless war-crimes in Ukraine. 

At the same time, Russia’s military campaign has stalled. Ukrainian forces have, in several areas, been pushing back invading troops. Russia has suffered staggering losses in personnel and military materiel. As Russia fails to meet its objectives on the battlefield, it increasingly seeks to break Ukraine’s resilience, not least through the systematic targeting of civilian energy infrastructure during the harsh winter months. These efforts have failed. 

Russia’s war of aggression is not merely an assault on a sovereign state; it is an attempt at systematic dismantling of the conditions for civilian life in Ukraine. The brutal violence against civilians, of which 2025 marked a devastating turning point as civilian casualties surged once again, has resulted in over 14 million people being forced to leave their homes. This represents the largest displacement of people in Europe since the Second World War. 

Russia’s lethal violence directed against aid workers, which reached a new high in 2025, show Russia’s utter contempt for those who wear the humanitarian emblem.

This week we mark forty years after the Chornobyl accident. Russia’s war of aggression continues to heighten the risk of incidents and radioactive releases at Ukraine’s nuclear facilities. Armed attacks on nuclear facilities should never take place and could result in radioactive releases with grave consequences within and beyond the boundaries of the State which has been attacked. 

President,

Accountability for Russia's violations of international law is essential for a just and lasting peace. Disregarding international law only encourages further aggression, in Ukraine and elsewhere. 

In this regard, we welcome the significant progress made in establishing a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and an International Claims Commission. These mechanisms mark groundbreaking steps toward ensuring accountability for Russia’s aggression and reparation for the damage inflicted on Ukraine. 

President,

No one wants peace more than the Ukrainians. Since Russia shows no genuine interest in peace whatsoever, we must continue to work together to support Ukraine’s efforts to resist Russia’s aggression. 

As long as Russia’s war of aggression continues, the Nordic Countries will remain unwavering in our support for Ukraine and its pursuit of a just and lasting peace.

Thank you.