EU Right of Reply on Russian false or unfounded allegations against Ukraine, delivered at the 65th session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) on 8 June 2022

Mr. Chair,

On behalf of the European Union and its Member States, I would like to exercise a Right of Reply to denounce the unacceptable remarks made by the Russian officials towards Ukraine, the EU and its Member States during the general exchange of views in this COPUOS session. We disapprove the systematic abuse of Point of Order by Russia, which intervened and interrupted other delegations multiple times during the general debate.

Mr. Chair,

These allegations are part of the Russian Federation’s strategy of disinformation and information manipulation in an attempt to justify its illegal war against Ukraine. We condemn the spreading of such propaganda as well as other Russian provocations, such as naming a space carrier rocket after Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region. 

We recall that with its blatant invasion of another sovereign state, the Russian Federation is flagrantly violating international law, including the UN Charter which is the bedrock for our multilateral work also in COPUOS. What is applicable to the rules-based international order on Earth, matters also in outer space.  We therefore encourage all UN Member States to condemn the Russian aggression and its violation of international law in this and in any other UN fora and to hold the Russian Federation accountable.

The EU and its Member States reiterate our unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.