I am delivering this statement on behalf of the eight Nordic-Baltic countries. We fully align with the statement of the European Union but would like to add a few remarks to inform this council on the recent visit of the Nordic and Baltic Foreign Ministers to Moldova on October 15th and Odesa, Ukraine, on October 16th.

Madame Chair,

The delegation was received in Odesa by Ukraine’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha and also met with the Governor of Odesa Oblast, Oleh Kiper.

The visit to Odesa, was a manifestation to show our countries’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Nordic-Baltic countries stand together as a united and strong force in supporting Ukraine against Russia´s war of aggression. We will, together, do our utmost to support Ukraine in its heroic fight to win this war.

We fully support Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace based on international law including the UN Charter. Initiatives that do not involve Ukraine, or that compromise its sovereignty and territorial integrity, cannot succeed. We will never recognise Russia’s illegal annexations of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea. Ukraine’s Peace Formula remains the only credible framework and the only way forward. We welcome in this regard the Mini-Summit under Ukraine’s Peace Formula Point 5 on the Restoration of Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity – that is led by Estonia, Ukraine and Argentina and held in the margins of the Crimea Platform in Riga today, October 24th.

Efforts to strengthen military and civilian support for Ukraine is key. We will support Ukraine in the transformation of its defense industry. We will support increased defense production in Ukraine, accelerating the growth of the Ukrainian defense sector while boosting the economy.

During the foreign ministers’ visit to Ukraine, a substantial Nordic-Baltic winter package was announced in response to Ukraine’s most pressing needs due to Russia’s unprecedented, systematic and deliberate attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure. This support, and the already earmarked support for next year, will strengthen Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, including energy, social resilience, health and humanitarian support.

Despite Russia’s ongoing aggression, Ukraine has made significant progress on its path towards membership in the European Union, and the Nordic-Baltic states will remain active supporters to Ukraine in its continued journey toward EU membership.

We also welcome the concrete progress Ukraine has made since the Vilnius and Washington Summits, and as Ukraine continues this vital work, we will continue to support it on its irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership.

The Nordic-Baltic states will continue to address the unlawful deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation and support efforts for their safe return, and we welcome the Conference on the Human Dimension of the Ukraine Peace Formula on 30-31 October in Montreal, co-hosted by Canada, Ukraine and Norway. We unequivocally condemn Russia’s violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law, and our commitment to holding Russia and its accomplices accountable for all crimes committed will continue.

We also support all efforts of Ukraine and of the wider international community to ensure Russia’s full accountability for the crime of aggression. We stand united in ensuring the soonest possible establishment of a Special Tribunal that would bring Russia’s political and military leadership to account.

Madame Chair,

The Nordic-Baltic countries’ foreign ministers visit to Moldova on October 15th showed support for Moldova’s reforms and resilience in the face of intensified Russian hybrid attacks. The delegation met with Moldova’s Prime Minister Dorin Recean and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popşoi. Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine has had a significant humanitarian and economic impact in Moldova. We condemn the repeated violations of Moldova’s airspace by Russian missiles and drones.

Moldova’s resilience has been truly remarkable, as well as its generosity towards Ukrainian refugees. The way Moldova is dealing with Russia’s hybrid attacks, including disinformation, is impressive and we stand ready to further support Moldova to enhance their capacity to counter hybrid threats. We reaffirm our commitment to support the resilience, security and stability of Moldova, bilaterally as well as through the EU. 

Strengthening and deepening our security policy dialogue in the region is a priority. In this spirit, we were pleased to sign a memorandum of understanding with Moldova to strengthen institutional capacity and encompassing cooperation, coordination and information sharing to develop effective responses to shared challenges.

On Sunday October 20th, the citizens of Moldova exercised their democratic right to vote in the first round of the presidential elections and in the EU referendum. We commend the authorities for the organisation of the electoral process and of the referendum in accordance with democratic standards.

We welcome that Moldova has voted for European integration. The Nordic Baltic countries will continue support Moldova’s reform efforts on its path to the EU. We condemn the unprecedented malign interference by Russia and its proxies to undermine the democratic process in Moldova.

Thank you.