Nordic Statement at the UN Security Council, 10160th meeting, Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine
Read the Nordic Statement at the UN Security Council, 10160th meeting, Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine, delivered by H.E. Ms. Elina Kalkku, Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations, on 28 May 2026.
President,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Finland.
Civilians and civilian infrastructure have been repeatedly hit by Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine, for more than four years already. Last Saturday, civilians in Ukraine were looking forward to a night of rest and recuperation. Instead, they were driven from their beds and their homes by hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles launched in a massive aerial attack by the Russian Federation. In Kyiv, it was one of the most devastating attacks during the Russian war of aggression. In addition to numerous civilian casualties, numerous residential buildings, a school, an opera house and a museum were damaged.
The Nordic countries strongly condemn Russia’s escalating attacks against civilians and civilian objects, including civilian infrastructure. They must cease immediately. This latest escalation comes amid an already rising number of civilian casualties. In April alone, at least 238 civilians were killed and 1,404 injured in Ukraine.
The military escalation is coupled with escalating rhetoric by Russia, openly threatening not only civilians, but also diplomats and staff of international organizations in Kyiv. Even before these threats, there have been several attacks against humanitarian actors in Ukraine, most recently against WFP’s warehouse in Dnipro. The Russian airstrikes are making the delivery of humanitarian assistance increasingly difficult, if not impossible in some areas. Russia has already hit diplomatic premises as well.
Moreover, the Russian Federation appears to have used an Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile in its attack last weekend. This missile is specifically designed to carry nuclear warheads. The repeated use of nuclear capable missiles is yet another manifestation of the unacceptable military escalation and the policy of intimidation, both of which the Nordic countries firmly condemn.
President,
The scale and scope of Russia’s attacks against civilians throughout the war, leave no room for describing such attacks as anything other than blatant, calculated violations of international humanitarian law.
It is time to put an end to the senseless destruction and suffering in Ukraine. The Nordic countries repeat our call for a full, unconditional ceasefire which would allow space for meaningful talks towards peace.
The Nordic countries remain steadfast in our support to Ukraine, and to a just and lasting peace based on international law, including the UN Charter.
I thank you.