Thank you, Chair,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the following EU Member States: Austria,
Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Cyprus, and also, on behalf of the following participating States that joined this statement: Ukraine, Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway and North Macedonia.
1. Madam Chair, the EU and its Member States resolutely condemn Russia’s illegal,
unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter, as well as core OSCE principles and commitments.
2. It is important that in this Forum we continue to address the fate of Ukrainian
soldiers who defend their country against the aggressor. We are grateful that you
have chosen for today’s Security Dialogue the topic of rehabilitation and
reintegration of veterans, including the focus on the OSCE Code of Conduct on
politico-military aspects of security. We also thank the panellists who spoke today
for their enlightening presentations.
3. The EU and its Member States stand by Ukraine as it exercises its inherent right
to self-defence against Russia’s full-scale war of aggression, and we will continue
to stand by Ukraine and its people, as long as necessary and whatever it takes.
This remains reflected in the provision of our multi-faceted support to Ukraine,
including political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic
support. The overall assistance to Ukraine now amounts to EUR 193.3 billion.
4. The overall EU support for the Ukrainian army is estimated at EUR 69.3 billion, aimed at strengthening the capabilities and resilience of the Ukrainian armed
forces. The EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) was launched in November
2022, as a direct response to Ukraine’s call for support. 85,200 soldiers have
already been trained. The financial support for EUMAM has totalled so far at
EUR 610 million, including EUR 435 million for the training costs and
EUR 175 million for the provision of lethal and non-lethal training equipment and
supplies, such as personal protective equipment, first aid kits, fuel, ammunition and missiles. Norway has supported the mission with a contribution of approximately
EUR 14 million.
5. Our support also aims at protecting the civilian population from Russia’s
aggression. Regrettably, Russia’s continuous and escalating attacks on the civilian
infrastructure leave no doubt: While Ukraine remains committed to peace, Russia
continues to do the opposite. With over one million Ukrainians without electricity,
water and heating following Russian strikes in -20°C, the EU last week deployed
447 emergency generators worth EUR 3.7 million from EU strategic reserves to
restore power to hospitals, shelters and critical services.
6. We reaffirm our strong commitment to ensuring full accountability for war crimes and the other most serious crimes committed in connection with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. There can be no impunity.
7. Russia must stop its aggression and immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.
8. The EU and its Member States strongly condemn support by third countries, and actors and entities therein, which enable Russia to sustain its war of aggression against Ukraine. We condemn the continued military support provided by Belarus, Iran and the DPRK.
9. We urge all countries to immediately cease any direct or indirect assistance to
Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine. In this vein, and as stated by G7
Foreign Ministers and the HRVP, China is also a decisive enabler of Russia’s war.
10.Madam Chair, as High Representative Kallas underlined last week, we need to
focus our efforts on really stopping Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
We will continue to do this, including in this Forum.
Thank you