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: […]
1. Madam Chair, during your FSC Chairpersonship, Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine stayed on the top of our agenda in this Forum and for a reason. In the first trimester of 2026, Russia did not cease its attacks on the civilian population and made no effort to alleviate the suffering of Ukrainians. As such the situation did not change since the Russian Federation started the full scale invasion of Ukraine over four years ago, an anniversary which we also solemnly marked in this past trimester. Russia remains the aggressor who attacked its neighbour and Ukraine continues its rightful self-defence. We urge Russia to agree to a full, unconditional and immediate ceasefire and engage in meaningful negotiations towards a just and lasting peace. Russia also continues its aggressive and dangerous behaviour against its other neighbours. On 18 March Russia, once again, violated Estonian airspace with one of its fighter jets risking a serious escalation. We stand in solidarity with Estonia and all other EU Member States that continue to be provoked and threatened by Russia.
2. Since the beginning of this year, countless soldiers died as Ukrainians continued to defend their homeland. A week has not passed without new reports emerging of continuous Russian attacks targeting civilians and the civilian infrastructure. These past three months were also a period of harsh winter conditions across Ukraine, a fact brutally exploited by Russia which focused its efforts on targeting energy infrastructure throughout the country. Despite all this, Ukraine managed to stand its ground and push back against Russia’s enormous pressure, preventing Russia from achieving its military and strategic objectives.
3. The EU and its Member States resolutely condemn Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter, as well as the OSCE’s core principles and commitments.
4. We welcome the ongoing diplomatic efforts to bring the war to an end and fully support Ukraine in the negotiations. The EU and its Member States will continue to actively participate in peace efforts, in accordance with the European Union’s aim to promote peace.
5. We reaffirm our continued firm and unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions as well as the Crimean Peninsula are part of Ukraine. Borders must not be changed by force and the aggressor cannot be rewarded.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. We reiterate the importance of further reducing Russia’s energy revenues and further constraining Russia’s banking system, as well as of efforts to curb Russia’s shadow fleet operations.
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. Madam Chair, we commend the fortitude, determination and resilience of the Ukrainian people. We will continue to provide multifaceted political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and ensure that Ukrainians have the means to continue to exercise its inherent right of self-defence and counter and deter Russia’s aggression.
Thank you.