You're reading: Russia’s military build-up poses challenge to European security – joint statement by NB8 ministers

Russian aggression in Ukraine, including military build-up, pose a challenge to European security, reads a statement by foreign ministers of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden.

“Russian aggression in Ukraine and its behavior in the region more broadly, including military build-up, pose a challenge to European security, also in the Nordic and Baltic region. The Nordic and Baltic countries face these challenges with mutual solidarity and co-operation. Co-operation enhances our security and contributes to preventing security incidents. We also regularly discuss these issues in a number of other formats involving allies and partners,” reads the joint statement by the ministers.

The foreign ministers also discussed the problem of legal processes and sentencing in Russia “in clear violation of international law,” most recently the sentencing of Ukrainian film director Oleh Sentsov and his co-defendant Oleksandr Kolchenko. The ministers called on Russia to immediately release Sentsov and Kolchenko and guarantee their safe return to Ukraine.

The ministers agreed on the importance of closely monitoring the on-going trial against the Ukrainian pilot and MP Nadia Savchenko, and likewise to demand a legal and fair trial.

The ministers discussed the situation in Ukraine, and the need to step up support to Ukrainian reforms and economy. “The Ukrainian reform process is of strategic importance to Ukraine, to the broader region and to the EU,” the statement reads.

They also noted that “full implementation by all sides of the Minsk agreements respecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, based on democratic principles, remain of utmost importance.”

Ministers also emphasized their support for the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) and the importance of the mission’s unhindered ability to carry out its mandate.

“Ministers expressed deep concern over the recent increase in violence and harassment of the OSCE SMM. Ministers urge all sides to fully observe the ceasefire agreement and ensure the safety and freedom of movement of SMM monitors and other international agencies in accordance with their mandate. Furthermore, ministers confirmed their commitment to explore opportunities for further support also to other countries within the EU’s Eastern Partnership,” the statement reads.

The ministers also expressed the belief that continued exchange of information and ensuring best practices can lead to increased security and trust in the region, including in the area of air safety.

The Ministers reaffirmed the continued NB8 commitment to strategic communication and support to independent media and stressed the need to maintain momentum in addressing the challenge posed by the continuous disinformation by Russian media, inter alia in relation to the crisis in Ukraine.

“Countering the aggressive disinformation and propaganda with support to capacity-building in free and independent media must remain a key priority,” the document reads.