EU Statement on the Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, OSCE Permanent Council No. 1572
Mr Chair,
We strongly condemn Russia’s latest large-scale missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and the surrounding regions, which have once again caused numerous civilian casualties and massive damage to residential buildings. In recent days, in Kyiv only, Russia’s strikes killed over 50 people and injured 160 more, including children. We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to our Ukrainian colleagues.
There is no doubt: this war of aggression is a war of choice for Russia. Russia started the aggression against Ukraine and chooses to continue it. It chooses escalation. It chooses terror against civilians. It does not seek peace. No amount of disinformation and no attempts to distort the nature of this war can obscure the fact that Russia bears sole responsibility for the death, suffering and destruction inflicted on Ukraine and its people.
Mr Chair,
We again 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,
Words of condemnation alone will not stop Russia. Only sustained and comprehensive support for Ukraine, combined with increased pressure on Moscow, can do that. Most recently, the European Commission disbursed the first payment of EUR 3.9 billion under the Ukraine Support Loan for advanced drone technology. This support is a clear demonstration of the EU’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s defence and resilience. It will help strengthen Ukraine’s capacity to protect its people, defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity and resist Russia’s aggression.
At the same time, we will continue to increase pressure on Russia and on all those who sustain its war machine. This includes tighter sanctions, as well as stronger enforcement and action against Russia’s shadow fleet, which enables sanctions circumvention, illegal oil transport and revenue generation for Russia’s war effort.
Mr Chair,
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. There can be no just or durable peace that rewards aggression. Only a settlement that fully respects Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders can deliver lasting peace. The EU and its Member States also remain ready to contribute to robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine, in line with international law and their respective competences and capabilities.
The OSCE plays and will continue to play a role in view of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
We again call on Russia to release immediately and unconditionally all unlawfully detained civilians, including the three OSCE staff members — Vadym Golda, Maksym Petrov and Dmytro Shabanov — and to comply fully with international humanitarian law, including in its treatment of prisoners of war.
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.