Norway in UN: Russia's aggression in Kerch Strait is global concern

"Russia escalated tension by using force against Ukrainian vessels. We call for the immediate release of the vessels and the twenty-four crew members that are detained in Russia," said Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations Mona Juul, who also spoke on behalf of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden, at the UNGA meeting on Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

She also called for the permanent restoration of free access to Ukrainian ports on the Sea of Azov.

“We stress that these violations of international law – the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and the Paris Charter – are not a bilateral or European concern, but a global one,” Mona Juul said.

The Permanent Representative of Norway also drew attention to the militarization of the Crimean peninsula by Russia and the constant violations of human rights by the occupation authorities in Crimea.

At the same time, the European diplomat pointed to the failure to implement the Minsk agreements, in particular, non-compliance with the initial ceasefire commitments.

 “We call on Russia to stop fueling the conflict by providing financial and military support to the armed formations and to withdraw its military equipment and personnel from non-government controlled areas,” the diplomat stressed.

In addition, Norway’s Permanent Representative called on the Secretary General and the whole UN to assess what more can be done to restore security and respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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