Denmark on behalf of 26 EU-members: Statement on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

As delivered at the 1535th meeting of The Permanent Council to the OSCE, Vienna, 25 September.

  1. The EU reiterates its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter, and OSCE core principles and commitments, and reaffirms its continued support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

  2. In coordination with like-minded partners and allies, we will continue to provide multifaceted support, including political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people. The Fifth Crimea Platform Summit held in New York yesterday also shows the strong global support for Ukraine. Ukraine exercises its inherent right to self-defence in full accordance with international law and as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter.

  3. The EU reiterates the call on Russia to cease its war of aggression, respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and agree to a full, unconditional and comprehensive ceasefire as a path to meaningful peace negotiations.

  4. We reaffirm EU’s commitment to ensuring that those responsible for war crimes and other most serious crimes committed in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine are fully held accountable. Also the progress made on establishing a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and a Claims Commission for Ukraine within the framework of the Council of Europe is an important step towards accountability. All victims deserve justice, reparation and guarantees of non-repetition.

  5. From the very beginning of the war, Russia has intentionally been directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects. Over the last week we have seen an escalation of the attacks that caused immense suffering, death and destruction. We strongly condemn these attacks, including shelling of Ukrainian critical energy infrastructure. We remind Russia that intentionally directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects, as well as indiscriminate attacks, are flagrant violations of international humanitarian law and constitute war crimes.

  6. Russia’s continuing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure pose grave risks to nuclear safety and security. The EU is deeply concerned by the situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). In February, a drone strike seriously damaged the New Safe Confinement at Chornobyl, undermining years of international efforts and investment. The EU alone has contributed EUR 432 million to this project and has pledged an additional EUR 37 million for nuclear safety in Ukraine. We are concerned by the significant intensification of Russian drone strikes, further jeopardizing the nuclear safety and security of all of Ukraine’s NPPs . We reiterate our call on Russia to comply with the IAEA General Conferences and Board of Governors resolutions, including with the newly adopted resolution “Nuclear Safety, Nuclear Security and Safeguards in Ukraine” calling on Russia to urgent withdraw all unauthorized military and other unauthorized personnel from Ukraine’s ZNPP and for the plant to be immediately returned to the full control of the competent Ukrainian authorities.

  7. As announced by President Zelensky at the Leaders’ Summit of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children earlier this week, 1,625 children have already returned to Ukraine thanks to Ukrainian initiatives and the support of partners. The European Union will continue to call for the safe and prompt return of all forcibly transferred and deported Ukrainian children, while stepping up our support for reintegration and rehabilitation of children, rebuilding of education facilities and accountability efforts. The EU will host a high-level international Summit to bring the world's eyes to the fate of these children. We will also continue to demand the immediate and unconditional release and safe return of prisoners of war, all civilians arbitrarily detained in Russia, including the three OSCE officials, Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov and Dmytro Shabanov.

  8. As stated last week, we continue to condemn in the strongest terms the unacceptable violations of the airspace of EU Member States by Russian drones, as part of a serious escalation.

  9. The EU will continue to demand a just and lasting peace that brings stability and security based on international law, including the principles of independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and that international borders must not be changed by force. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be laid out without Ukraine nor can decisions affecting the security of Europe be taken without Europe’s participation. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a full, unconditional, and verifiable ceasefire. The European Union welcomes the efforts towards ending Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and is ready to play its full part in supporting the upcoming steps, together with Ukraine, the United States, and other partners. We reiterate that any credible approach to achieving peace must necessarily include concrete humanitarian measures, including the exchange of prisoners of war and the return of all civilian detainees and deported children.

  10. We reiterate that any attempts to illegally integrate or annex parts of another state’s territory constitute a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, as well as OSCE core principles and commitments. All states have an obligation under international law to not recognise such annexations. Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Luhansk, as well as Crimea are Ukraine.

  11. Russia is showing the full extent of its contempt for diplomacy and international law. So we're increasing the pressure.We will raise the cost for Moscow further by ramping up sanctions significantly on Russia and its enablers. We will also work with our international partners to put pressure on Russia to end this war.

  12. The EU and Member States are also ready to further contribute to security guarantees based on their respective competences and capabilities, in line with international law. A Ukraine capable of defending itself effectively is an integral part of any future security guarantees and key for a lasting peace. There can be no limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces in its cooperation with or assistance from third countries. Russia cannot have a veto on Ukraine’s path to the European Union and NATO.

  13. We condemn the continued support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine provided by third countries, such as the DPRK, Belarus, Iran, and actors and entities therein. We urge all countries to cease all assistance, including the provision of dual-use goods and sensitive items that sustain Russia’s military industrial base. In this vein, and as stated by the G7 Foreign Ministers and the EU High Representative, China is also a decisive enabler of Russia’s war.