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 Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway and North Macedonia.
1. Madam Chair, at the outset 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 the OSCE’s core principles and commitments.
2. As is often the case at recent FSC meetings, we do not have to go too far back for new evidence of such violations. On the night of 25-26 February, reports emerged of Russia having conducted yet another large-scale combined air attack, targeting energy infrastructure, including substations and gas production, as well as railway infrastructure. According to reports, Russia deployed 11 ballistic missiles, 28 cruise missiles and 420 drones. Dozens were injured and damage was reported throughout the country, including in Kyiv, Dnipro, Donetsk Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions. On 1 March, local authorities reported several Russian attacks across Ukraine which resulted in at least 6 killed and 28 injured.
3. This is what Russia continues to do through its militarisation with a declared defence budget surpassing 7% of its GDP. Russia brought war back to Europe with repercussions for both European and global security.
4. In the context of its war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia has continued to violate the airspace of EU Member States. Condemning such irresponsible acts, we urge Russia to refrain from further breaches of the national airspace of EU Member States, which represent a serious threat to regional security. We strongly condemn the breaches of the airspace of Romania which occurred on 25 and 26 February, as a consequence of the brutal Russian attacks against Ukrainian ports on the Danube.
5. As European Council President Antonio Costa said clearly on 24 February last week when we marked the four years since Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine: “The only path forward is a just and lasting peace. A peace rooted in international law, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the principles of the United Nations Charter.” He further underlined that “Russia cannot be permitted to make gains at the negotiating table where it has failed on the battlefield. And Russia must come to the negotiation table in a serious way and accept that it will not win this war.” The EU and its Member States support a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law.
6. We welcome all the efforts, including those by our US partners, towards sustainable peace and echo the G7 Leaders’ statement published on the same day, reaffirming unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and its freedom, sovereignty and independence. As the statement also made clear, Europe has a leading role to play in the process, together with other partners.
7. Yet Russia is, as re-confirmed in a public statement by its Foreign Minister last week, in no hurry to end the war. As the invasion wears on past its quadrennial anniversary, we suggest Russia asking itself whether it is now safer than four years ago, whether it has more partners, stability and trust. We call on Russia to 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.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.
11.The EU and its Member States will continue their multi-faceted support, including political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people. As President Costa also highlighted again last week: “Ukraine can count on the EU. Since the very first day of Russia’s war of aggression, the European Union has been unwavering in full support to Ukraine on all fronts. [..] And we will continue.”
Thank you