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, 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. With its actions, Russia goes against the very principles that created the basis governing relationships between participating States and our collective security. Over fifty years after it was signed, the Helsinki Final Act and its Decalogue did not become less relevant or subject to re-interpretation. All participating States are bound by these principles, in particular when it comes to respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity.
2. The Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security also remains a key OSCE framework which all participating States adhered to, including when it comes to the obligation to alleviate the suffering among the civilian population and addressing the treatment of Prisoners of War. Regrettably, the Russian Federation, as it regularly reminds us by its actions, fails to live up to its commitments.
3. We condemn the heinous Russian attacks targeting civilian and civilian infrastructure. Following overnight Russia’s attacks on 6-7 March, at least 11 people were reported killed in Kharkiv, including two children, and 16 injured. On the night of 7-8 March, Russia attacked Ukraine with two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 117 strike drones. We also condemn the intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine's railway infrastructure as reported since the beginning of March.
4. 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.
5. Last week, High Representative Kaja Kallas described Russia’s actions in her so called “Churchill lecture” in Switzerland. Speaking of the obligations of the Russian Federation, she underlined that “Russia is executing the most outrageous breaches of international law in United Nations history. And doing so with impunity. Russia has turned its back on its international duty as a Permanent Member of UN Security Council.” And despite all this, Russia has not achieved its military objectives, its economy is under severe strain, and its casualties are mounting while Ukraine successfully exercises its rightful self-defence against Russia’s aggression.
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. Madam Chair, Russia’s war of aggression has to end with a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law. Europe has a leading role to play in the process, together with other partners. The EU and its Member States support all efforts aimed at achieving such a peace – a peace with dignity and long-term security. Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is the cornerstone. No country can annex its neighbour. Borders cannot be changed by force. The aggressor cannot be rewarded.
10. 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. Since 2022 we have already provided support worth close to EUR 200 billion and we remain Ukraine’s biggest donor. Our efforts will not stop there.
Thank you.