1. Mr Chair, the European Union would like to thank you for organising today’s meeting on this important topic. We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to speakers for their remarks. The environmental and economic costs, and the devastating humanitarian consequences for Ukraine of Russia’s war of aggression are being felt globally, impacting the OSCE region and beyond, including in terms of energy, climate, food security, and stability.
2. Russia’s intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure continue unabated, resulting in severe damages or complete destruction of more than two dozen energy facilities across Ukraine, including the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant and Trypilska Thermal Power Plant. This has significantly curtailed Ukraine’s electricity generating capacity, depriving millions of Ukrainians of stable access to electricity, heating and cooling. Such systematic air strikes as well as other targeted attacks against civilian objects and critical infrastructure are unacceptable and must stop immediately. Russia must be held responsible for the irreparable environmental damage caused by its invasion. We recall that intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects, including critical civilian infrastructure, may amount to a war crime. Russia is also putting global peace and security at risk through its irresponsible nuclear rhetoric. The latest alarming developments around Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), as reported by the IAEA Director General, are highly disturbing and only add to our concern.
3. Russia’s attacks against Ukrainian critical civilian infrastructure have only strengthened the EU’s resolve to increase its support to Ukraine. In response to Russia’s attacks, the EU has swiftly mobilised emergency energy assistance to Ukraine and delivered immediately needed generators. The EU and its Member States have provided generators to Ukraine from our rescEU reserves. To further strengthen Ukrainian energy infrastructure, the EU has also deployed 10 large capacity power generators (1MW) from its strategic rescEU stockpiles, with a financial value of €3.57 million. Each of these powerful 1MW generators has the capacity to supply electricity to a medium-sized hospital under emergency conditions. After the Russian war of aggression began, the Energy Community has set up the “Ukraine Energy Assistance Fund” which has received nearly €440 million to help cover immediate needs in Ukraine’s energy sector – and support green and resilient reconstruction.
4. As Russia continues its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, it is important to address and alleviate its consequences, which are felt far beyond Ukraine’s borders. The EU will continue to provide all relevant support to the Republic of Moldova, including to strengthen the country’s resilience, security, stability, economy and energy supply in the face of destabilising activities by external actors, as well as continued support on its path to EU accession.

5. The environmental consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine will have long-lasting effects in Ukraine and the wider OSCE region, including in the Black Sea area. We are deeply concerned about the sustained damage to farmlands, water supply and sewage systems, the long-lasting damage to valuable ecosystems, biodiversity and marine sites, including those affected by the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) dam in the Kherson region. Military equipment and toxic chemicals in the water, soil and the air could persist for decades, posing long-term risks to human health, societies, ecosystems and biodiversity.

6. We believe that the OSCE should continue contributing to addressing and alleviating the devastating impact of Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine’s environment and economy, including by strengthening disaster risk management, supporting water resource management, and advancing Ukraine's transition to sustainable energy infrastructure. We commend the OCEEA’s immediate response to support Ukraine in coordination with the Ukrainian authorities, and we endorse the Office’s intention to continue the implementation of the extra-budgetary project “Assessment of environmental impacts resulting from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and options for remediation”, crucial in documenting the impact of Russia’s war on the environment, as well as complementary efforts and initiatives by the Support Programme for Ukraine. We take positive note of the publication of the report “The Environmental Consequences of the war against Ukraine” by the Conflict and Environment Observatory and by Zoï Environment Network, prepared with the support of the OSCE. Through the “Mitigating Climate Change Threats to Critical Energy Infrastructure” project, OCEEA is also helping Ukraine assess the impact of climate change on the energy sector and enhance its resilience. This means equipping energy stakeholders with the tools and knowledge to support energy plans and investments that align with Ukraine’s efforts to diversify and reconstruct the energy sector in a sustainable and climate resilience manner. We welcome continuing these efforts to assess the environmental damage and assist the Ukrainian authorities and citizens in minimising the economic and environmental threats to security and supporting cooperation in the field of environment and energy, contributing to security and stability in the OSCE region.
7. Russia’s unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine has also negatively affected the empowerment of women and youth. Due to Russia’s war of aggression, the education of about 4 million schoolchildren in Ukraine has been severely affected. Thousands of children have never been able to set foot in class rooms or even meet their teachers and class mates in person. Yet, the resilience of the Ukrainian people, men and women, is beyond doubt. We commend the commitment of Ukrainian women and girls to fostering inclusive communities, as well as the efforts of Ukrainian women to keep the economy afloat. In all efforts to achieve sustainable peace and security, we must ensure that women and young people are involved in the relevant decision-making processes. Economically empowering women and youth, and thus ensuring their full, equal and meaningful participation in all spheres of society, is key to promoting sustainable, resilient, prosperous, secure and stable societies, where human rights are fully enjoyed by all.
8. On 11-12 June 2024, Germany will host this year’s Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2024) where at least 1 500 participants from governments, businesses, civil society and local authorities are expected to attend. The focus is on reconstruction, reforms and investment in Ukraine, and further mobilising the private sector in reconstruction efforts. The conference will also pay particular attention to the role of social and human reconstruction, including topics such as skilled workforce and health, highlighting the close links to the reform process required for EU accession.
9. The environmental and economic damage caused by Russia’s war of aggression affects common global security. It is crucial to contain the environmental damage caused by Russia’s war of aggression and restore Ukraine’s natural environment. The OSCE’s Second Dimension should continue to be a platform for meaningful discussions on the energy security nexus and should define effective responses that protect communities and ensure our common security.

The Candidate Countries NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, ALBANIA*,UKRAINE, the REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA*, and GEORGIA, the EFTA countries ICELAND and NORWAY, members of the EuropeanEconomic Area, as well as ANDORRA and SAN MARINO align themselves with this statement.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue

to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.