OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation N°1027 Vienna, 2 November 2022

Mr. Chair, as Russia's brutal and illegal full-fledged war of aggression against Ukraine has entered its ninth month, the European Union and its Member States continue to condemn in the strongest possible terms the incessant violations by Russia of international law, in particular of the UN Charter and the OSCE principles and commitments, starting from the Helsinki Final Act. Russia's policy of brutal expansionism, its acts to deny Ukraine's statehood, its actions endangering global food security, its attempts to intimidate Europe by threatening energy security and, not least, its irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, are putting global peace and security at risk.

Mr.Chair, in this unjustified war, there is no ambiguity on who is the aggressor and who is the victim. We resolutely support Ukraine’s inherent right to self-defence, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ efforts to defend Ukraine’s territorial integrity and population in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter. We reaffirm our firm solidarity with the Ukrainian people and pay tribute to all those who have sacrificed their lives in defence of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine.

We strongly condemn Russia’s continued and systematic attacks on civilians and civilian objects in and around Ukrainian urban residential areas. As the Russian military aggression has clearly not gone according to plan, Russia has chosen to strike terror into the civilian population, destroy civilian infrastructure and kill the innocent, the weak and the vulnerable. The deliberate targeting of energy, heating and water supply facilities, indispensable infrastructure for the survival of the civilian population, is not only illegal under international humanitarian law but, with the onset of winter, it is also particularly cruel and cynical.

The Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, submitted to the UN General Assembly, concludes that the Russian Armed Forces are responsible for the vast majority of identified violations of human rights and international humanitarian law during the reporting period. The report documents indiscriminate attacks using cluster munitions, unguided rockets and air strikes by the Russian Armed Forces. It also notes that the relentless use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas has killed and injured scores of civilians and devastated entire neighbourhoods, including residential buildings, schools, and hospitals. In addition, the Commission referred to numerous cases in which Russian Armed Forces shot civilians trying to flee to safety.

Attacks intentionally directed against civilians are inhumane, completely unacceptable and unjustifiable. Such acts constitute war crimes. The EU supports efforts by national and international investigative and monitoring bodies, including in the OSCE framework, in the gathering of evidence and documentation of atrocities committed during the war waged by Russia. There can be no impunity for war crimes, crimes against humanity and other atrocities. Those responsible must be held to account.

Mr.Chair, we deplore Russia's continued disinformation campaign alleging that Ukraine was planning military operations involving chemical, biological or radioactive material. The absurd story about the "infected mosquitos" was told in this very room a few months ago and last week Russia repeated the same "revelation" in a meeting of the UN Security Council. We decisively reject Russia's blatantly false claim that Ukraine is preparing to use a dirty bomb on its own territory, attempting to create another pretext for further escalation. Ukraine reconfirmed that it has no nuclear weapons, no dirty bombs and no plans to acquire any. The IAEA also stated that they had no proliferation concerns with regard to Ukraine. It is quite clear that such narratives are nothing but attempts to spread confusion and deflect from Russia's role as aggressor in this illegal war.

Mr. Chair, Russia's actions in and around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) as well as other nuclear facilities in Ukraine pose a threat to the safety and security and increase the risk of a nuclear accident. The EU fully supports the work of the IAEA and its Director General in assisting Ukraine to ensure nuclear safety and security, and to maintain the implementation of the safeguards. The only way to ensure the long-term safety and security of the facility is for Russia to unconditionally withdraw its troops from the ZNPP and return it to full and exclusive Ukrainian control.

Mr.Chair, the EU and ist Member States condemn Russia’s unjustified decision to suspend its participation in the UN Black Sea Grain Initiative. This will obstruct the export of much needed grain to address the global food crisis, for which Russia is solely responsible due to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine and Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian sea ports. We urge Russia to reverse its decision and to immediately resume the implementation of this initiative. We also strongly support the United Nations Secretary-General’s call for the extension of the initiative beyond its current period in November. This initiative has made, together with the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes, a significant difference by allowing the export of grain and agricultural products from Ukraine to the global markets and to the countries most in need. We will continue to support timely and stable delivery of Ukrainian agricultural products to global markets, including with the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes Initiative.

Yesterday, the Russian Federation launched another conscription campaign in the illegally annexed Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to draft Crimean residents in the Russian Federation Armed Forces. This campaign comes shortly after Russia’s mobilisation announced on 21 September, which included the groundless targeting of Crimean residents, in particular Crimean Tatars. This step is another violation of international humanitarian law under which an occupying power is prohibited from forcing protected persons to serve in its armed or auxiliary forces.

The EU and its Member States remain unwavering in their support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and demand that Russia immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraws all of its troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, including the illegally annexed Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. We also unequivocally reject the illegal sham referenda conducted by Russia at gunpoint at the end of September. Crimea, Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia are parts of Ukraine.

We condemn Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in the strongest possible terms and urge Russia to immediately stop its illegal aggression. We urge the Belarusian authorities to refrain from any further involvement in Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine as well as to immediately stop providing military support and allowing its territory to serve as a launchpad for attacks against Ukraine.

Thank you!

The Candidate Countries REPUBLIC of NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, ALBANIA*, UKRAINE and REPUBLIC of MOLDOVA, the Potential Candidate country BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA*, the EFTA countries NORWAY, ICELAND and LIECHTENSTEIN, members of the European Economic Area, as well as ANDORRA and SAN MARINO align themselves with this statement.

* Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.