Read the statement on behalf of the NB8 countries at the General Assembly “General Assembly Emergency Special Session on Ukraine” delivered by H.E. Mr. Martin Bille Hermann, Permanent Representative of Denmark to the United Nations, in New York, 28 February 2022

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the eight Nordic-Baltic countries: (Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and my own country Denmark).

Colleagues,

Russia’s unlawful and brutal armed attack on Ukraine will affect and impact everyone. And if we do not join our forces to turn back this tide today, we will be even less equipped to deal with similar crimes in the future – wherever, on whichever continent they occur.

Over the last week we have heard powerful statements from representatives of every continent on this planet, from Africa to Asia, from Europe to the Americas, that Russia’s behaviour (towards a fellow member) of the United Nations cannot stand. And we will hear more today.

To those who still refer to “two parties to a conflict”, we echo the words of a protester, who so rightly had written on her sign:

If Russia stops fighting there will be no more war.

If Ukrainians stop fighting there will be no more Ukraine.

That is the simple reality before us. That is the simple truth.

The world will hold Russia and Belarus accountable for their actions. Russia as the main aggressor. Belarus as the enabler.

Thank you Mr. President. 

By Mr. Martin Bille Hermann, Permanent Representative of Denmark, to the United Nations.