1. Chairs, the decision to convene today’s joint FSC-PC meeting presents an
opportunity to all participating States to address pressing politico-military matters, particularly Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.
2. The EU and its Member States are deeply alarmed by the presence of DPRK’s troops on Russian soil in support of Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as continuing DPRK arms transfers to Russia. Such cooperation
is a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and of multiple UN Security Council
resolutions. This hostile act by the DPRK against Ukraine is an escalation and a
threat to European and global peace and security. Russia’s deepening military
cooperation with the DPRK sends a clear message: despite its deceptively stated
readiness to negotiate, Russia is not sincerely interested in a just, comprehensive
and lasting peace in Ukraine. On the contrary, Russia is escalating and desperately seeking any help for its war of aggression, including from actors that are severely threatening global peace and security.
3. Russia and the DPRK must immediately cease these actions. The EU and its
Member States commit to closely monitoring the situation and actively pursuing
necessary measures together with the international community.
4. These extremely worrying developments breach the most fundamental principles governing international affairs, to which both the EU and its Member States and our Asian Partners for Cooperation are firmly committed. They also highlight the interconnected nature of security between Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.
5. Chairs, the EU and its Member States reiterate that Russia must immediately stop its unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal war of aggression, put an end to this
unbearable suffering and devastation, and completely and unconditionally
withdraw all of its forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. We also robustly condemn the continued military support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine provided by third countries, such as Belarus, Iran and the DPRK. We urge all countries not to provide any material or support for Russia’s war of aggression, which is a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, and the OSCE core principles and commitments. This includes not only direct military support but also the provision of dual-use goods and sensitive items that sustain Russia’s military industrial base.
Thank you, Chairs.