OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation N°1044,Vienna, 10 May 2023

1.Madam Chair, this week is of poignant historical symbolism. The Second World War, the most brutal and devastating conflict humanity has ever endured, came to an end in Europe on 8 May 1945. From its ashes emerged a new internationa l system, the United Nations, dedicated to maintaining international peace and security and taking effective collective measures to prevent and address threats to peace, as well as acts of aggression or other breaches of international law. The rules governing this system are enshrined in the UN Charter, a document ratified by all 193 member states, including the Russian Federation, which is a permanent member of the Security Council and as such should particularly act in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

2.Additionally, we commemorate 9 May to honour the Schuman Declaration. On this day in 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposed the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, the forerunner of today's European Union. The Schuman Declaration symbolises the pursuit of peace and unity among European nations, transcending historical rivalries and animosities.

3.As the European Union, we remain steadfast in our commitment to uphold the rules-based international order and to defend our shared values. We firmly believe that the international community must confront and address any actions that contravene these fundamental principles. Consequently, we have adopted an unequivocal stance in response to Russia's illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine. We strongly condemn this war, which represents not only a blatant and undeniable violation of international law but also goes against our most fundamental values, in particular respect for human life and dignity. It is our collective responsibility to do everything in our power to ensure that the Russian aggression against the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine fails and that such reckless acts are never repeated. European Commission President von der Leyen paid a visit to Kyiv yesterday to mark symbolically Europe Day in a country where the values we hold dear are defended everyday with unprecedented courage and sacrifice.

4.Over the past 15 months, Russia's full-scale aggression has inflicted immense suffering upon Ukraine and its people. Thousands of civilians and soldiers have been killed or injured, front line towns have been reduced to rubble, and children have been killed, wounded, and traumatized. As the Head of the Russian Delegation spoke of drones in Moscow during last week's FSC meeting, Russia was deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure in Kherson, resulting in the death of at least 23 civilians and injuring 48 others. Intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects is a war crime.

5.Madam Chair, although the full extent of the damage caused by Russia's invasion will not been known until the war is over and Russian troops withdraw from the entire territory of Ukraine, it is vital to document the crimes committed by Russian forces in the country, including the forcible transfer and deportation of a large number of Ukrainian children. We welcome last week's presentation at the Permanent Council of the report under the OSCE Moscow Mechanism on this subject. In this context, we see the International Criminal Court's recentdecision to issue arrest warrants against President Vladimir Putin and Presidential Commissioner Maria Lvova Belova as a first step in holding Russian leaders and perpetrators accountable for any crime and atrocity they have ordered, enabled, or committed in Ukraine.

6.Madam Chair, the picture in front of us is clear: Russia is the aggressor, while Ukraine exercises its inherent right to self-defence in accordance with Article51 of the UN Charter. Ukraine has the legitimate right to receive support from all states. While representatives of Russia at the FSC regularly profess their faith inthe aims of their so-called "special military operation", even invoking mystical prophecies to support their claims, the extent of the Kremlin's strategic failure is becoming increasingly clear to people around the world, including in Russia itself.

7.Russia must immediately stop its war of aggression and completely and unconditionally withdraw all its troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. We also urge the Belarusian authorities to cease their support for, and refrain from any further involvement in or facilitation of Russia's illegal war of aggression.

8.Madam Chair, we remain determined and also encouraged to work with Ukraine and our international partners to find a just, lasting and comprehensive peace based on respect for international law, including the UN Charter, Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The EU supports President Zelenskyy's Peace Formula and is ready to work with Ukraine on the 10-point peace plan. We have stood with Ukraine from the earliest hours of these testing times and will continue to support Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom, sovereignty, and their European future.

Thank you!

The Candidate Countries NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, ALBANIA*, UKRAINE, REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA and BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA*, the Potential Candidate Country GEORGIA, 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.

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