Conference on Disarmament, EU Statement in Subsidiary Body 5

Mr. Coordinator,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.

The Candidate Countries the Republic of North Macedonia*, Montenegro^* and Albania^*, the country of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia align themselves with this statement.

Today’s discussion in this subsidiary body takes place at a very deeply worrying moment of continued Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The EU condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia's unprovoked and unjustified act of aggression against Ukraine, which grossly violates international law and the UN Charter, and undermines international security and stability. The EU demands that Russia immediately cease its military actions, immediately, completely and

unconditionally withdraw all its military forces from the entire territory of Ukraine and fully respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognised borders.

At the same time, let me reiterate that the EU condemns in the strongest possible terms the involvement of Belarus in the ongoing aggression against Ukraine.

The EU and its Member States express full solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. The EU resolutely supports Ukraine’s inherent right of self-defence and the Ukrainian armed forces’ efforts to defend Ukraine’s territorial integrity and population in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter. At all times, Russia must respect its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law, including with respect to the protection of civilians, women and children. Russia also needs to stop its disinformation campaign and cyber-attacks. 

The UN General Assembly, in its resolutions of 2 March and 24 March 2022, has deplored in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine in violation of Article 2 (4) of the UN Charter. It demands that the Russian Federation immediately cease its use of force

against Ukraine and to refrain from any further unlawful threat or use of force against

any Member State. Furthermore, it also deplores the involvement of Belarus in this unlawful use of force and calls upon it to abide by its international obligations. These resolutions sent a powerful message to Russia and Belarus that they are isolated in their actions.

The EU calls on Russia and Belarus to abide by these resolutions. The EU remains strongly committed to the fight against impunity for atrocities.

Thank you, Mr. Coordinator

* The Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.