1. On Monday of this week (2 November), Russia launched one of its most brutal and repugnant attacks against civilians in Ukraine. A school used for humanitarian purposes and shelter in Komyshuvakha in the Zaporizhzhia region was struck by aerial bombs. The result: At least 40 people were killed, including 2 rescuers and 4 police officers, and many more were injured. This followed Russia’s deadly strike on the crowded Dnipro train station on 29 October killing 15 people. In parallel, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, including striking power facilities, causing blackouts across several regions and leaving hundreds of thousands of households without electricity.
2. Russia’s deliberate actions prolong this war of aggression against Ukraine and its people and deepen human suffering. These latest attacks demonstrate Russia’s blatant disregard for human life and its contempt for humanitarian efforts and international law. The only conclusion to be drawn is that Moscow is not interested in ending its war.
3. The European Union supports all diplomatic efforts towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law and underpinned by robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine. Only a solution that fully respects Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity can deliver such a peace. Borders must not be changed by force, the aggressor cannot be rewarded and Ukraine’s long-term security and ability to defend itself must be guaranteed. We urge Russia to agree to a full, unconditional and immediate ceasefire and to engage seriously in meaningful negotiations. The OSCE plays and will continue to play a role in view of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
4. The humanitarian operation in temporarily occupied Oleshky has allowed civilians to leave the town and receive assistance. For months, those trapped there have been facing acute shortages of food, water and medicine. Russia now cynically tries to portray itself as their saviour. Let us be clear: Russia is the occupying power, and no amount of disinformation or manipulation can erase its responsibility for the suffering inflicted on the population in violation of international humanitarian law.
5. We remain committed to ensuring full accountability for war crimes and the other most serious crimes committed in connection with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. ODIHR and the OSCE Human Dimension Mechanisms make important contributions to these efforts. 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, as well as to ensure the immediate and safe return of all deported or forcibly transferred Ukrainian children. We also remind Russia that it remains bound by international humanitarian law in its treatment of prisoners of war and detained civilians.
6. The European Union will further increase pressure on Russia, while continuing its firm and unwavering support for Ukraine to defend its people and territorial integrity, including through the latest €2.86 billion disbursement from the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan to help address Ukraine's most urgent operational needs. The European Union and Member States stand ready to contribute to robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine, notably through the Coalition of the Willing and in cooperation with the United States. This will include supporting Ukraine’s ability to deter aggression and defend itself effectively, also in the long term.
7. We reiterate our call on 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. In conclusion, Mr Chair, the European Union demands that Russia immediately and unconditionally cease its aggression, withdraw all its forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine, and fully respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.