Mr Chair, let us start by stating clearly, were it not for Russia’s full-scale invasion
of Ukraine, which began almost three years ago, we and other delegates here
would not have to speak about Russia’s victims week after week. It is Russia who
has started its illegal, unjustifiable and unprovoked war of aggression against
Ukraine and it is Russia who bears responsibility for this decision and the resulting deaths and destruction it has brought upon Ukraine as well as on its own population and the whole OSCE region.
We reaffirm our determination to continue to provide financial, economic,
humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed to help Ukraine exercise its inherent right to self-defence. All military support will be provided in full respect of security and defence policy of certain Member States and taking into account the security and defence interests of all Member States. As President of the European Council, António Costa made clear after the meeting of EU leaders last week, ‘we remain steadfast in our commitment to Ukraine's security, to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. We Europeans have already delivered support to Ukraine to the tune of EUR 134 billion – and we will continue to deliver. Because we are determined to support Ukraine for as long as necessary and whatever it takes.’
Speaking more specifically about military support of the EU and its Member States, it has reached almost EUR 50 billion to date. This includes unprecedented aid and assistance to Ukrainian Armed Forces, including the provision of military equipment as well as training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. By the end of winter, we will have trained over 75 000 soldiers through the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine).
Since 24 February 2022, the EU has adopted 15 unprecedented and hard-hitting
packages of sanctions, the most wide-ranging sanctions we have ever imposed, in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In view of the Russian Federation’s continuing actions further destabilising the situation in Ukraine these EU restrictive measures were extended last month for a further 6 months, until 31 July 2025. These measures remain a key element in depriving Russia of revenues for funding its war of aggression. As EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said, ‘More military support for Ukraine and stronger sanctions on Russia are two sides of the same coin.’
Mr Chair, the EU and its Member States continue our unwavering support for
Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its
internationally recognised borders, as well as for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the UN Charter and international law. Russia must immediately stop its 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. We reject Russia’s rhetoric of allegedly complying with international law, including the UN Charter, which in no way represents the reality of its actions.
Mr Chair, the EU and its Member States condemn Russia’s repeated attempts to
distort history and draw unacceptable comparisons with Nazism to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine, with the inaccurate and inappropriate use of the term denazification. Such distortion erodes our understanding of the Holocaust, disrespects victims and survivors, and undermines democratic principles. We call for fact-based discussions conducted in a respectful manner, without resorting to offensive language. Russia should stop using its statements to spread disinformation and propaganda.
We strongly condemn the continued support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine provided by third countries, such as the DPRK, Belarus and Iran. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the increasing military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, including the DPRK’s export and Russia’s unlawful
procurement of DPRK ballistic missiles in breach of multiple UN Security Council
resolutions, as well as Russia’s use of these missiles and munitions against
Ukraine and the deployment of DPRK troops to Russia.
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, thereby
enabling Russia to continue to prosecute its war of aggression against Ukraine.
We strongly reiterate that this is a blatant violation of OSCE core principles and
commitments and international law, including the UN Charter.
Thank you.