Joint Nordic Statement: Use of the Veto
Statement by H.E. Ms. Anna Johannsdottir
Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations
on behalf of the Nordic countries
General Assembly 60th plenary meeting
Use of the veto – Special report of the Security Council pursuant to resolution 76/262
6 March, 2025
President
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the five Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden - and my own country, Iceland.
I would like to thank you for convening this debate under General Assembly resolution 76/262.
We welcome the special report submitted by the Security Council on the use of the veto, in this case twice, at the 9866th meeting of the Council on February 24th.
President
The Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. In carrying out its duties under this responsibility, the Council acts on behalf of the general membership.
During the resumed emergency session on Ukraine on February 24, the General Assembly adopted two resolutions on Ukraine: “Advancing a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine” and “The Path to Peace” with a clear two thirds majority.
Both resolutions underlined the commitment to key principles in the UN Charter in bringing about peace for Ukraine that includes respect for its sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Both resolutions recognised that there can be no equivalence between how we refer to Ukraine and to the Russian Federation in the ongoing war. The first is the victim, the second the aggressor.
No one wants peace more than Ukraine and its people. No one feels the effects of the war more than them. For a peace to be lasting, it must be in accordance with international law, including the rules and principles of the UN Charter. Russia and other potential aggressors must not draw the conclusion that violations of international law will pass without consequences. That would risk renewed aggression and undermine global security.
The resolution “The path to peace” as amended and then adopted by the General Assembly reflects the determination of the general membership to uphold the principles and obligations of the UN Charter which we have all committed to uphold. It also reflects members’ clear-eyed view of who has attacked whom.
The resolution adopted by the General Assembly calls for a swift end to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation but rejects the precept that an invasion of any country is in any way acceptable. It mourns the tragic loss of life including thousands of civilian lives and rejects the precept that one country can simply change by force the borders of another and occupy and annex its territories. We underline that this constitutes a violation of international law, and that accountability must be ensured.
The resolution “The path to peace” as adopted by the Security Council does not reflect these core principles. It does not give an accurate picture of how we have come to this point. Despite proposals for amendments to reflect the wishes of the general membership on respecting the core principles of the Charter, the Russian Federation exercised its veto - twice. Russia vetoed amendments calling for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in line with the UN Charter.
President
It is unacceptable that a permanent member of the Security Council, should oppose language supporting the central rules of the Charter. Article 27, part 3, of the UN Charter sets out one limitation on voting, including to the use of the veto. To quote the Charter: “in decisions under Chapter VI, and under paragraph 3 of Article 52, a party to a dispute shall abstain from voting”. We reiterate our call for the veto to be used responsibly, and only in strict adherence with the Charter.
We believe that for the Security Council to live up to its obligations and to recoup the respect many feel it has forfeited, permanent members cannot allow themselves to use the veto in a patently partisan manner.
And the Security Council cannot allow itself to be seen to disregard the clear wishes of the entire membership of the United Nations, expressed through the General Assembly. We regret that last Monday, the Council allowed the self-interest of the aggressor state to trample over the legitimate views and aspirations of the broader membership.
Let me conclude by once again affirming the steadfast and unwavering support of the five Nordic countries for Ukraine and its people. And may I add, a commitment that was also resoundingly reaffirmed by a vast majority of the world’s countries last week.
