ISTANBUL

Foreign ministers from eight Nordic and Baltic countries on Saturday called on Russia to immediately stop targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

In a joint statement, the ministers from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden said Moscow has intensified strikes on Kyiv and other major cities, including Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv and Odesa, despite international efforts to pave the way for a just and lasting peace.

They said the escalation forced Ukrainian authorities last week to declare a nationwide state of emergency.

The ministers said attacks aimed at cutting off electricity, heating and water supplies during harsh winter conditions represent a clear violation of international humanitarian law and could amount to war crimes.

They also expressed serious concern over Russian strikes on electrical substations linked to the operation of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, warning that such actions endanger nuclear safety and the civilian population, as well as neighboring regions.

The Nordic-Baltic group urged Russia to cease what it described as “reckless and absolutely unacceptable behavior” and reiterated its support for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), calling for its inspectors to be granted safe and unhindered access to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

The ministers welcomed progress toward establishing an international compensation mechanism for victims of the war and a special tribunal to prosecute the crime of aggression.

They reaffirmed full solidarity with Ukraine and pledged continued financial and military support, along with efforts to mobilize emergency funding to help restore damaged infrastructure and provide humanitarian assistance to civilians.

The statement also reiterated support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for a just and lasting peace in line with international law and the UN charter.