Thank you, Chair,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the following EU Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
The following participating States have joined the Statement: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway and Ukraine.
1. We will soon mark a solemn anniversary: four years since Russia launched its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, blatantly violating international law and OSCE core principles and commitments. These four years have witnessed extraordinary courage, sacrifice and resilience from the Ukrainian people. Their steadfast defence of freedom continues to inspire us – and our commitment to a free, independent, sovereign Ukraine, within its internationally recognised borders, remains unwavering.
2. This week saw further strikes and a continuation of aggression by Russia against Ukraine. Russia has used ballistic missiles and drones against civilians and civilian infrastructure, causing several fatalities and massive damage. Russia continues to systematically target Ukraine’s energy sector, disrupting electricity, heating, and access to essential services for millions of citizens amidst a freezing winter. As Russia cannot defeat Ukraine militarily, it wages war against civilians to break their resistance. This strategy has failed—and it will continue to fail. Intentionally directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects, as well as indiscriminate attacks, constitute violations of international humanitarian law and amount to war crimes.
3. In contrast to the ongoing peace efforts, Russia’s actions illustrate its unwillingness to commit to a ceasefire and engage in constructive and meaningful negotiations. Instead, Russia seems determined to pursue its aggression.
4. The European Union is, from its inception, a peace project. Together with its Member States, it stands as a provider of peace and security for its citizens and beyond. It is for this reason that the EU is strengthening its ability to prevent conflicts, respond to security risks, including hybrid threats, preserve peace, and support Ukraine’s defence. Through the European Peace Facility, the EU mobilised €6.1 billion between 2022 and 2024 and established a dedicated Ukraine Assistance Fund. The European Union continues to support Ukraine in its pursuit of a just and lasting peace, in line with the United Nations Charter and international law. In this, we welcome the recent close work between Ukraine, the United States and Europe.
5. A Ukraine capable of defending itself effectively is integral to any future security guarantees. The EU and its Member States are ready to contribute to robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine, based on their respective competences and capabilities and in line with international law.
6. We will also continue to provide, in coordination with like-minded partners and allies, comprehensive political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people. In recent days, the EU and its Member States have sent hundreds of power generators to help restore electricity and heating for homes, hospitals, shelters, and other critical services affected by Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. We will maintain and increase pressure on Russia, including through additional sanctions, so that it ceases its aggression and treats peace negotiations seriously.
7. We reiterate the need to ensure full accountability for war crimes and other serious violations of international law committed in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as victims’ rights to justice, reparation and guarantees of non-repetition. While welcoming the latest exchange of prisoners of war agreed in the context of trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, we reiterate our demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of war and civilians arbitrarily detained by Russia. We urge the safe return of the Ukrainian children deported to Russia or forcibly transferred within temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. We reiterate our call for an immediate and unconditional release of the three OSCE officials: Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov and Dmytro Shabanov and we expect the Secretary General to continue his efforts to this end.
8. We condemn the continued support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine provided by third countries, such as the DPRK, Belarus, Iran, and actors and entities therein. We urge the cessation of all assistance, including the provision of military and dual-use goods and other sensitive items that sustain Russia’s military industrial base. As stated by the G7 Foreign Ministers and the EU High Representative, China is also a decisive enabler of Russia’s war.
9. We condemn Russia’s illegal annexation of parts of Ukraine’s territory, in blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, as well as OSCE core principles and commitments. Russia must stop its aggression and immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all its forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.