1. Russia continues to choose war over peace, despite intensified diplomatic efforts. In recent days, Russia has again subjected Ukraine to sustained waves of drone and missile strikes against civilians and civilian objects, including the infrastructure of daily life, in flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. Residential buildings, schools and kindergartens, hospitals, markets, warehouses, medical facilities, industrial facilities, energy, transport and communications infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed across the country. Kyiv has faced repeated drone attacks, explosions, and prolonged air-raid alerts. In broad daylight, Russia struck a building of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in the very heart of Kyiv. Ukrainian authorities reported civilian deaths and dozens of injuries, including children. The European Union strongly condemns Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the latest brutal attacks. We once again call on Russia to agree to a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire and to engage seriously in meaningful peace negotiations for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.
2. The European Union supports all diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving such a peace, grounded in international law, including the rules and principles of UN Charter, as well as the Helsinki Final Act. The conditions for a genuine peace are clear: it must respect Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, as well as Ukraine’s right to choose its own future. The EU and its Member States are prepared to contribute to robust and credible security guarantees, based on their respective competences and capabilities and in line with international law.
Mr. Chair,
3. Ensuring accountability for violations of international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, remains paramount for achieving the just and lasting peace Ukraine deserves. The OSCE Moscow Mechanism and ODIHR reports represent crucial tools in our pursuit of justice. The OSCE plays and will continue to play a role in view of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
4. Since the start of its war of aggression over four years ago, Russia is estimated to have deported or forcibly transferred over 20,500 Ukrainian children. These actions constitute serious breaches of international law and of the rights of the child. They aim to erase Ukrainian identity and undermine the future of Ukraine’s younger generations. The European Union has recently adopted further restrictive measures against those responsible for the systematic unlawful deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children, as well as their forced assimilation, including indoctrination and militarised education, and will continue to do so until every child is returned.
5. We call on Russia to release immediately and unconditionally all unlawfully detained civilians, including the three OSCE staff members — Vadym Golda, Maksym Petrov and Dmytro Shabanov.
6. We also renew our call on Russia to comply fully with international humanitarian law in its treatment of prisoners of war. We are appalled by recent UN findings documenting systematic conflict-related sexual violence against Ukrainian prisoners of war and other persons deprived of their liberty, as well as against civilians in territories temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation.
Mr. Chair,
7. We urge again all countries to immediately cease any assistance to Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine, whether direct or indirect, and notably through the provision of dual-use goods and components. In particular, we strongly condemn the deployment of the DPRK’s military forces in the war against Ukraine as well as the continued military support provided to Russia by Iran, Belarus and the DPRK, among others.
8. The European Union remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine, standing with the Ukrainian people and continuing to provide political, economic, humanitarian and military assistance for as long as necessary.