EU Statement on the Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, OSCE Permanent Council No. 1571

Mr Chair,

No effort by Russia to portray its aggression against Ukraine in other terms can change the fundamental reality that this war is of Russia’s own choosing. Russia bears sole responsibility for the war of aggression against Ukraine, for the death, suffering and destruction it continues to inflict on Ukraine and its people. Its relentless drone, missile and glide bombs attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including the latest deadly strikes on Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia, once again demonstrate its blatant disregard for international law and for human life. We call on Russia to end its aggression immediately, agree to a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire, and demonstrate genuine political will by engaging in meaningful negotiations towards a just and lasting peace.

We also urge all countries to immediately cease any assistance to Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine, whether direct or indirect, and notably through the provision of dual-use goods and components. In particular, we strongly condemn the deployment of the DPRK’s military forces in the war against Ukraine as well as the continued military support provided to Russia by Iran, Belarus and the DPRK, among others.

Mr. Chair,

We will unwaveringly continue to stand with Ukraine and its people, providing much needed comprehensive support, in close coordination with like-minded partners and allies. At the same time, we will continue to increase pressure on Russia and all those who sustain its war machine, so that it engages without delay in peace negotiations. 

The European Union remains firmly committed to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, grounded in international law, the principles of the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act. Only a solution that respects Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity can bring about a just and lasting peace. Borders must not be changed by force, the aggressor cannot be rewarded and Ukraine’s long-term security and ability to defend itself must be guaranteed. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. The European Union will decide on matters of its competence or affecting its security.  We are ready to contribute to robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine, notably through the Coalition of the Willing and in cooperation with the United States, in line with international law and based on the competences and capabilities of the EU and Member States.

Mr. Chair,

There can be no sustainable peace without accountability for Russia’s aggression and for the violations of international law committed during this war. And there can be no just and lasting peace without the return of all forcibly transferred or deported Ukrainian children. 

We welcome the return of 74 more children to Ukraine during May, and we praise the courage of all those involved in evacuating them. We deplore that a Russian FPV drone struck a clearly marked Save Ukraine evacuation vehicle in Kramatorsk, once again showing the risks faced by humanitarian workers. Yet hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian children remain under Russian occupation. Russia continues to deport and forcibly transfer Ukrainian children, subject them to mistreatment and indoctrination, seek to erase their identity and destroy their childhood. We expect the report under the Moscow Mechanism to shed further light on these grave violations. The OSCE plays and will continue to play a role in view of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Mr. Chair,

We note the recent exchange of prisoners of war that allowed 160 Ukrainian ​servicemen to return home ​from Russian captivity and we continue calling on Russia to comply fully with international humanitarian law in its treatment of prisoners of war. We reiterate our demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all unlawfully detained civilians, including the three OSCE staff members—Vadym Golda, Maksym Petrov, and Dmytro Shabanov. 

Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, and Ukraine align themselves with this statement.