EU Statement on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation N°1147 - Vienna, 30 September 2026

1. From 1 to 24 September, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine recorded at least 200 civilians killed and 1,234 injured in Ukraine, a number that is likely to increase with further verification. We see that the latest independent reports confirm beyond any doubt the suffering that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine brings to the Ukrainian civilian population. In the words of the UN “Russian attacks against Ukraine have reached a new level of intensity, sowing more death, fear and devastation across the country”. In the latest UN report, an attack last Thursday was highlighted when Russian armed forces hit an agricultural facility where seven civilians were killed and 12 injured, farm workers sorting vegetables. Then on Friday, media reported that a 14-year-old boy was killed while​at least seven people were injured in ​a Russian drone attack on a 16-storey residential ⁠building in the centre of Kyiv.

2. Further death and suffering equally occurs on the battlefield where soldiers die daily while defending their homeland against the aggressor. And it does not end on the battlefield. Earlier this month the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine labelled “shocking” a pattern of sexual violence which occurs amid Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. This report underlined that the patterns observed indicated that sexual violence had been used as a method of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment against Prisoners of War (POWs). Russian Federation authorities perpetrated sexual violence against Ukrainian POWs during all stages of captivity. POWs reported sexual violence during capture and transit from the battlefield, upon arrival at internment facilities and during interrogations as well as in the final stages of internment. According to the report, interviewed Ukrainian POWs frequently reported sexual violence being committed in common spaces such as cells, corridors, shower rooms and prison yards, in front of supervisors or internal video cameras, or perpetrated by or in the presence of representatives of different Russian Federation authorities. These actions once again demonstrate Russia's armed forces and authorities’ disregard for IHL. 

3. We recall that according to the Third Geneva Convention of 1949 and Additional Protocol I of 1977, Prisoners of War must be treated humanely in all circumstances. They must be protected against any act of violence, intimidation, insults and public curiosity. Cases such as those reported by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine cannot be accepted and must be stopped and investigated.

4. 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, and we 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.

5. Mr Chair, on 23 September, a Russian military helicopter entered Polish airspace from the direction of the Kaliningrad region. This follows previous violations of the sovereign airspace of EU Member States and including again of Romania which national airspace was breached several times over the weekend. The European Union and its Member States strongly condemn this further escalation and reiterate that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States, including the inviolability of their airspace, must be fully respected. We call on Russia to ensure that its military activities are conducted in full compliance with international law and its OSCE commitments. 

6. Furthermore, on 28 September Russia hit the building of the National Academy of Sciences, where at least two people were killed while 24 people were injured in attacks across the Ukrainian capital. We recall that attacks like these are unacceptable, As the building of the Academy is in the immediate vicinity to the German Embassy in Kyiv, we also recall that diplomatic and consular premises, together with their personnel, are protected under international law, and attacks that endanger them are unacceptable.  

7. On 15 August, a building used by the Estonian defence company Milrem Robotics was targeted in an arson attack. After a thorough assessment, Estonian authorities confirmed that this was a sabotage act ordered by the Russian security services. As stated in the past, we remain unwavering and unequivocal in our strong condemnation of the persistent malicious activities posed by Russia.

8. Mr Chair, Ukraine needs a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law. The EU and its Member States urge Russia to show genuine willingness regarding peace, agree to a full, unconditional and immediate ceasefire and engage in meaningful negotiations.

9. In the meantime, we will continue our multi-faceted support to Ukraine and its people, including political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support. 

10. Mr Chair, the EU and its Member States continue to 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.

11. 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 Belarus, Iran and the DPRK, among others.

Thank you.

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