EU Statement on the Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine - OSCE Permanent Council No. 1575
Russia has long abandoned any respect for international law. Over the past week, it has continued its relentless attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, humanitarian operations, commercial vessels and diplomatic missions. On 24 July, Russian ballistic missiles struck the Kyiv region, killing 11 people and injuring around 100. That same day, Russian guided aerial bombs hit Slovyansk, killing at least five civilians, injuring at least nine others, and destroying Latvia’s Honorary Consulate, with two staff members injured. The European Union strongly condemns these barbaric attacks, including the large-scale attack overnight, and calls again on Russia to end its war of aggression and agree to a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire. We stand in full solidarity with Ukraine and Latvia.
Last week also saw further disruption to the delivery of critical humanitarian assistance following Russia’s attacks on warehouses used by UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Repeated attacks on civilian fuel stations in frontline regions have further complicated humanitarian logistics and access to essential services. We remind Russia that attacks directed against humanitarian facilities are blatant violations of international humanitarian law and must stop immediately.
The European Union is determined to ensure accountability for all violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. We 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, as well as to ensure the immediate and safe return of all deported or forcibly transferred Ukrainian children. While honouring the victims of the mass killing in Olenivka four years ago, we call on Russia to fully comply with international humanitarian law in its treatment of prisoners of war. The European Union has recently adopted restrictive measures against those directly involved in the torture of Ukrainian POWs.
Mr. Chair,
We thank the Swiss Chairpersonship, the Special Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office, Petr Mareš, and the Ukrainian Mission for organising last week’s solidarity visit to Ukraine. In addition to providing a first-hand view of the horrors of Russia’s war of aggression and the human impact, the visit underscored the vital role of the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine in assisting civilians and strengthening long-term democratic and societal resilience. We expect the OSCE structures and institutions to continue supporting Ukraine and addressing the consequences of Russia’s aggression, across all dimensions of security. The OSCE plays and will continue to play a role in view of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
We remain 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, and fully respecting Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The EU and its Member States stand ready to contribute to robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine, in line with international law and their respective competences and capabilities. We will also continue to provide comprehensive support to Ukraine.
We remain determined to increase pressure on Russia until it demonstrates a genuine political will to engage in meaningful negotiations towards a just and lasting peace. Last week, the EU adopted the 21st package of restrictive measures designed to further weaken the economic and financial foundations of Russia's war economy and increase the cost of sustaining its aggression.
We 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 condemn the repeated violations of Romania’s airspace by drones in the context of Russia’s intensified attacks against Ukraine. Russia bears full responsibility for the consequences of its escalatory behaviour and its continued military actions, which threaten the security of EU citizens, regional stability and international peace.We express our solidarity with Romania and stand ready to accelerate efforts to strengthen our protection against such threats.
Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, and Ukraine align themselves with this statement.