Poland in Iceland

On this day, two years ago, people across Ukraine woke up to a nightmare as Russia began its unprovoked, unjustified, and ruthless full-scale invasion of their country. Since then, the war continues to cause deplorable loss of life, immense human suffering, the destruction of homes and entire cities. Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine started already 10 years ago in Donbas and Crimea. There is no doubt that Russia‘s brutal war against the people of Ukraine is a horrific violation of international law and the UN Charter, and that it gravely threatens security and stability in Europe.

Now, after two years of heroic defence, Ukraine is at a critical juncture. As we hear about the city of Avdiivka falling under Russian occupation, it is important to remember what the war is about. Yes, the Ukrainians are fighting for their country‘s freedom and existence, but this war is also about what kind of world we all want to live in. Putin is waging a war against our values, our democratic system, our international and multilateral system based on the rule of law and peaceful cooperation. Ukraine is fighting for all of us – there is no room for „Ukraine fatigue“. We must continue to provide Ukraine with the support it needs for as long as it takes. We cannot let Putin‘s world view gain the upper hand - no one is safe in a world where illegal use of violence is normalised.

Unwavering support of Ukraine

The EU and our 27 Member States have stood firmly by Ukraine throughout this time, showing unwavering commitment to its defence, independence and democracy. To date, the EU has provided Ukraine with more than 88 billion euros or 13 thousand billion ISK, in financial, humanitarian, economic and military support. We have supplied emergency shelters and healthcare, food assistance, education, water, and sanitation. Our Member States have welcomed Ukrainian refugees, granting temporary protection to over 4 million of them. Our military support to date amounts to over 28 billion EUR. We have trained over 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers and provided large quantities of military equipment which has made a real difference on the battlefield.

The EU has also imposed 13 packages of powerful sanctions against Russia with the aim of reducing its ability to maintain its brutal war machine, and to isolate and to limit its economy. These sanctions are working, and we keep improving their efficiency.

Iceland has been a close partner in all of these efforts. We appreciate Iceland‘s fervent support for the people of Ukraine – whether it be through sanctions, through financial and humanitarian aid, medical assistance, or landmine clearing. And, like EU Member States, Iceland has also warmly welcomed thousands of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the horrors of Russia‘s war.

Accountability

Russia and its leadership must be held fully accountable for their horrific war crimes, loss of life, and the massive damages caused by this brutal invasion. The EU is strongly committed to ensuring crimes against Ukraine and its people will not go unpunished. We highly value Iceland‘s leadership in facilitating the creation of the Council of Europe‘s Register of Damage caused by the Russian invasion as the first step towards an international compensation mechanism for Ukrainian victims of war. Iceland truly showcases its commitment to shared values and principles through impactful actions. 14 EU Member States have already opened national investigations for international crimes committed in Ukraine, and several EU Member States have supported the creation of the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, with the aim of playing a key role investigating Russia‘s crime of aggression and help to collect evidence for future trials. Over 19,000 Ukrainian children have been reportedly kidnapped from Ukraine and taken to Russia and Belarus. These are serious war crimes and those responsible must be held to account, that is precisely why the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin. The EU will support the Court until justice is done.

We will continue to support the Ukrainian people for as long it takes, until Ukraine prevails.

Signed by,

H.E. Lucie Samcová - Hall Allen, Ambassador of the European Union

H.E. Kirsten Geelan, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark

H.E. Anu Laamanen, Ambassador of Finnland

H.E. Guillaume Bazar, Ambassador of the French Republic

H.E. Clarissa Duvigneau, Ambassador of Germany

H.E. Gerard Pokruszyński, Ambassador of Poland

H.E. Pär Ahlberger, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden

Mr José Carlos Esteso Lema, Chargé d'Affairs of Spain

 

This op-ed was published in Morgunblaðið on 24.02.2024