By KYIV. Dec 13 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The leaders of the Nordic countries reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine and expressed “deep respect for and recognition of the persistence and spirit of the Ukrainian people, soldiers and leadership.”
“After facing Russia’s aggression for almost ten years, including more than 650 days of full-scale war, Ukraine continues to demonstrate extraordinary determination in exercising its inherent right of self-defence,” according to a joint statement from the second Ukraine-Northern Europe summit, which took place in Oslo on Wednesday.
The Nordic countries, the statement says, “will continue to provide extensive military, economic and humanitarian support to Ukraine, individually and collectively as Nordics, as well as in the framework of international formats and platforms.”
“We condemn Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. We stand firmly together with our allies and partners in response to Russia’s war. Russia must end its aggression and withdraw its forces immediately and unconditionally from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders,” the officials said in the text.
According to the document, “the Nordic countries will continue their military support to Ukraine within the US-led Defence Contact Group framework. The Nordics will actively explore areas of additional support, including, but not limited to Maritime Security, Air Defence and Air Force, including Combat Aircraft.”
The Nordic countries reiterated their support of the Joint Declaration of the G7 Leaders of Support for Ukraine as of 12 July 2023 and agree to start bilateral negotiations with Ukraine on security commitments to be formalized in close coordination with G7 allies and partners.
They called on Russia to “respect international law, including international humanitarian law, also on temporarily occupied territory, and for the immediate release and return of all interned, forcibly displaced, and illegally deported civilians, including children, safely to Ukraine. The Nordic countries will contribute to countering propaganda, disinformation and destructive information influence of the Russian Federation.”
They commended the work of the Register of Damage for Ukraine as a step towards an international compensation mechanism for victims of Russia’s aggression.
The Oslo summit was attended by leaders from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Ukraine.
