OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation N°1070 Vienna, 14 February 2024

1. Mr Chair, firstly let us start by recalling last week’s event on human security in armed conflicts which showed how timely and relevant this topic was for the work of the FSC. We strongly regret that because of the obstructive action of the Russian Federation, this was not held as a security dialogue, which the topic would have clearly merited. We deplore Russia's blockage of the whole FSC agenda in breach of laid down rules of procedure, which require the holding of a weekly meeting. Instead, having to resort to holding side events, as opposed to formal ones, does not reflect the very nature of our organisation.
2. This reminds us again of the situation we experienced last year when the scheduled dialogue by the Canadian Chairpersonship on Information Integrity in the Military Space was conducted as a side event. As we can see, and especially in the past weeks, this was also a highly relevant topic for the politico-military dimension. We condemn the continued use of disinformation by Russia in any form, including manipulation and distortion of historical facts.
3. Mr Chair, not a week passes without us witnessing further casualties, civilian and military, and more destruction of civilian infrastructure, as a direct result of Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine. Let us reiterate that the Russian Federation is the sole cause of this horrific war and ultimately the one responsible for all the death and destruction that continues since its brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On the night of 9-10 February Ukraine Black Sea port infrastructure was again hit by Russia, in close proximity to the borders of EU Member States. We strongly condemn these attacks and urge Russia to refrain from any escalatory steps in the Black Sea area.
4. Facing these atrocities, Ukraine can rely on our unwavering support. In their European Council meeting on 1 February, all EU leaders reaffirmed the European Union’s unwavering commitment to continue providing strong support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes. A dedicated Ukraine Facility for the period 2024-2027 with a budget of up to EUR 50 billion will be set up. In accordance with respective EU MS security and defence policies and interests, we remain determined to provide timely, predictable and sustainable military support to Ukraine, notably through the European Peace Facility and the EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM), as well as through direct bilateral assistance by Member States, in line with Ukraine’s needs.
5. The day before, support to Ukraine was the first discussion item of EU Defence Ministers. In the almost two years since the start of Russia’s war of aggression, EU Member States have already provided military equipment worth EUR 28 billion to Ukraine. For 2024, the estimate is that at least EUR 21 billion of military assistance, both lethal and non-lethal, will be provided in one single year. In addition, considering the urgent need to deliver ammunition and missiles, efforts will continue to provide one million rounds of artillery ammunition to Ukraine. We have already reached one third of this target, while another 200,000 rounds should be delivered by March 2024. Numerous Member States will further explore all options to meet Ukraine’s needs and accelerate the delivery.
6. The EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM), has now reached the target of 40,000 Ukrainian soldiers trained. This effort will not stop there as EU Defence Ministers agreed on training for an additional 20,000 Ukrainian soldiers to reach a figure of 60,000 by the summer of this year.
7. Mr Chair, the EU and its Member States reiterate that Russia must immediately stop its illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression, put an end to this unbearable suffering and devastation, and completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. We also condemn the continued military support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine provided by Belarus, as well as Iran and the DPRK. We urge all countries not to provide material or other support for Russia’s war of aggression, which is a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, and the OSCE’s core principles and commitments.

Thank you.

The Candidate Countries NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, ALBANIA*, UKRAINE, the REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA*, and GEORGIA, the EFTA countries ICELAND, LIECHTENSTEIN and NORWAY, members of the European Economic Area align themselves with this statement.

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