GENEVA (Chatnewstv.com) — The Nordic and Baltic states on Friday renewed their call for Russia to halt its war in Ukraine, citing rising civilian casualties and reports of grave human rights violations in occupied territories.
“This summer marked a grim milestone: July saw the highest number of civilian casualties in Ukraine since May 2022,” Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said in a statement to the U.N. Human Rights Council on behalf of the eight Nordic-Baltic countries. “This tragic loss of innocent lives, including children, could immediately end if Russia agreed to a full, unconditional ceasefire as the first step towards meaningful negotiations.”
Stenergard said recent Russian attacks show Moscow “is not interested in peace” and warned of growing accounts of abuses. “We are alarmed by the forcible transfers and unlawful deportations of children. And by the torture and executions of prisoners of war – among many other grave violations,” she said.
The Nordic-Baltic states expressed support for the U.N. commission investigating rights abuses in Ukraine, praising its work as “deeply disturbing” but essential to holding perpetrators accountable.
“Their reports only strengthen our unwavering support for Ukraine’s pursuit of a just and lasting peace,” Stenergard said.
The statement urged Russia to “respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and agree to a full and comprehensive ceasefire.”
“The Nordic-Baltic states stand – and will continue to stand – fully behind Ukraine,” Stenergard said.
