76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
Statement by the Nordic and Baltic countries on the UNGA resolution on the humanitarian consequences of the aggression against Ukraine
March 25, New York
Mr. President,
I deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries: Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and my own country Denmark.
Today, we voted not to take action on the South African resolution titled “the Humanitarian situation in Ukraine”.
Let me be clear. In general, the South African resolution included messages and principles that we as steadfast defenders of the humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law are supportive of.
Yet, the decision to vote not to take action on the South African resolution was not difficult. For reasons already stated by the EU, but bears repeating:
First, our problem with the text was less so what was in it. But what was not in it. It only mentioned Ukraine. Yet, Russia alone bears responsibility for the humanitarian catastrophe we are discussing today. Only Russia can end it. The responsibility is clear. The message we send from the General Assembly must be just as clear.
Second, our problem with the text was not who was behind it, but who was not behind it. As UN Member States, we have a strong tradition for engaging on humanitarian crises together with the country of concern. The sponsors of the South African resolution are among the strongest defenders of this principle. It was therefore particularly regrettable that the resolution was drafted without the engagement of Ukraine. Even more so, it was tabled in competition to the humanitarian resolution put forward by a cross-regional group of countries together with Ukraine. A resolution which was adopted by an overwhelming majority of the General Assembly.
Mr. President, It does not take much imagination for any of us to put ourselves in the place of our Ukrainian colleagues. Your country is invaded, your people is living through a humanitarian disaster. How would you expect the UN to act? Would you expect and insist to be consulted? If the answer is yes, your conclusion can only be: Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. As the Nordic-Baltic countries, we are grateful that this too was the message of the General Assembly today.
Thank you.