Consultations with the FSC Chair Vienna, 19 June 2024

Mr Chair, we would have preferred to convene for today’s Forum in a formal setting with a regular agenda as should always be the case. Today’s topic for the Security Dialogue also clearly deserves that. At the same time, we thank you for your effort to allow us to deliver our statement today.

1.During the past few weeks while the Russian delegation aimed at preventing usfrom addressing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, including itsdisregard for international law and its commitments to the OSCE principles, Russiahas continued its brutal, shameful, reprehensible actions across Ukraine, causingdeath and devastation. Russia did not want us to discuss these matters becausethey know they simply cannot be defended.

2.Despite Russia's efforts to obstruct it, the Summit on Peace in Ukraine successfullytook place a few days ago. Over 90 countries and organisations gathered. TheSummit aimed to establish common parameters for peace among the participatingcountries, based on international law and the UN Charter. The goal was to preparethe ground for a peace that all Ukrainians deserve. In line with the JointCommuniqué, which underscored the independence and territorial integrity ofUkraine, the EU is ready to support concrete steps, based on the UN Charter andinternational law, to be taken in the areas of nuclear safety, food security andrelease of prisoners and return of children.

The Russian Federation still holds the means to contribute to peace efforts byimmediately ending its war of aggression, stopping the suffering and devastation,and unconditionally withdrawing all forces and military equipment from Ukraine'sinternationally recognised territory.

3.We want neither war nor division. We want a lasting peace that respectsinternational law and Ukrainian sovereignty. Until this much-needed peace forEurope and the world is achieved, we will continue to work to help Ukraine resist.The EU and its Member States remain united in their strong support for Ukraine and

its people. We openly condemn Russia's unprovoked, illegal an unjustifiable war of aggression and pledge to continue offering our political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed.

4.

The EU is also committed to provide all relevant support to the Republic of Moldova in addressing the challenges it faces as a consequence of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and to strengthen the country’s resilience, security and stability in the face of destabilising activities by Russia. Last Friday, the EU adopted an assistance measure worth EUR 9 million under the European Peace Facility in support of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova to modernise the country’s air defence capabilities. It complements a EUR 41 million assistance measure adopted earlier this year, which sought to modernise the defence capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova in the areas of mobility, air surveillance, electronic warfare and logistics.

5.

The EU and its Member States condemn Russia’s war of aggression as well as the continued military support for it provided by Belarus, as well as Iran and the DPRK. We urge all countries not to provide equipment or other support for Russia’s war of aggression, which is a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, and the OSCE core principles and commitments.

Thank you.

The Candidate Countries NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, ALBANIA*, UKRAINE, the REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA*, and GEORGIA, the EFTA countries ICELAND, LIECHTENSTEIN and NORWAY, members of the European Economic 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.