EU Statement on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, OSCE 101st Joint FSC - PC meeting

Chairs, the EU and its Member States resolutely condemn Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of international law including the UN Charter, as well as the OSCE’s core principles and commitments.

Independent reports continue to record almost on a daily basis the consequences of Russia’s brutal actions. The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine underlined last week the serious human rights consequences of Russia’s large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv and its surrounding region. According to the UN, the daily use of long-range weapons, including missiles, drones and guided aerial bombs in Russia’s attacks far from the frontline, coupled with short-range drone attacks close to it, point to “a further escalation in civilian harm”. In this context, we again commend you for organising the important Security Dialogue on Conflict related Human Rights Violations earlier today.

Last week’s report under the Moscow Mechanism also examined another aspect of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the militarisation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children. According to the report, cadet classes and military-patriotic youth organisations extend pre-military preparation. Further militarisation also occurs outside of schools through State-sponsored re-education camps and again military-patriotic youth organisations, one of which provides structured training in weapons and UAV operation for children aged 14–18. As the report indicates, conscription completes this pipeline and Ukrainian boys in the occupied territories receive pre-conscription notices as early as at 16 and conscription is imposed upon reaching 18, in direct violation of the prohibition on compelling protected persons to serve in the armed or auxiliary forces of the occupying State. We call on Russia to implement without delay the recommendations of the Moscow Mechanism report, including halting all practices of militarisation.

A comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law is the only way forward and there is now a growing momentum to increase support for Ukraine and stepping up pressure on Russia to engage in meaningful peace talks. The EU and its Member States will continue providing their multi-faceted support to Ukraine and its people, including political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support. We are also committed to helping protect the skies of Ukraine with more support on the way for air defence and missile interception.

As President of the European Council António Costa underlined last week: “Russia’s escalating attacks on Ukraine’s cities and infrastructure are proof it has failed to achieve its objectives on the battlefield. We stand with Ukraine, every step of the way. “ 

We also reaffirm our strong commitment to ensuring full accountability for war crimes and the other most serious crimes committed in connection with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

The EU and its Member States call on Russia to stop its aggression and immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

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 Belarus, Iran and the DPRK, among others.

We also strongly condemn the repeated breaches of the airspace of our Member States, and those neighbouring Ukraine, most recently of the Republic of Moldova, as a consequence of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. We urge Russia to refrain from further violations of the sovereign airspace of the European Union’s Member States as well as other countries and express our full solidarity with the affected countries. 

Thank you, Chairs.

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