OSCE Permanent Council 1431 Vienna, 6 July 2023

1. Mr. Chair, at last week’s European Council, EU leaders made it clear that the EU and its Member States are resolute in their condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. They also condemned the continued military support for Russia’s war of aggression provided by Belarus, by allowing Russian armed forces to use its territory, including for the deployment of nuclear weapons. They reaffirmed the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and its inherent right of self-defence against the Russian aggression. Allow me to briefly refer to the main decisions of the European Council meeting.
2. First, the EU will continue to provide strong financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes.
3. The European Council reconfirmed the EU’s readiness to provide sustainable military support to Ukraine for as long as it takes, notably through the EU Military Assistance Mission and the European Peace Facility. It took stock of the progress in the delivery and joint procurement of one million rounds of artillery ammunition and missiles for Ukraine. It underlined the importance of Member States’ continued efforts to help meet Ukraine’s pressing military and defence needs, without prejudice to the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain Member States.
4. Second, the European Council underlined the need to ensure, together with partners, stable, predictable and sustainable financial support for Ukraine for the years to come. EU leaders reiterated their call for the European Investment Bank, in close cooperation with the Commission and International Financial Institutions, to step up its support for Ukraine’s most urgent infrastructure needs. The EU also remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s repair, recovery and reconstruction, in coordination with international partners, including in the areas of psychological and psychosocial rehabilitation and demining assistance. Moreover, the European Council took stock of the work carried out regarding Russia’s immobilised assets, and invited the relevant EU institutions to take work forward, in accordance with EU and international law, and in coordination with partners.
5. Third, the EU and Member States reiterated that they stand ready to contribute, together with partners, to future security commitments to Ukraine, which will help Ukraine defend itself in the long term, deter acts of aggression and resist destabilisation efforts. In this regard, they will swiftly consider the modalities of such contribution. These commitments will be taken in full respect of the security and defence policy of certain Member States and taking into account the security and defence interests of all Member States.
6. Moreover, the European Council acknowledged Ukraine’s commitment and substantial efforts to meet the required conditions in its EU accession process. It encouraged Ukraine to continue on its path of reforms. The EU will continue to work closely with Ukraine and support its efforts to fully meet all conditions.
7. Fourth, the European Council condemned in the strongest terms the deliberate destruction of the dam at the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, which has devastating humanitarian, ecological, agricultural and economic repercussions and puts at risk the safety and security of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The EU and its Member States stand ready to provide further support to Ukraine, in addition to the emergency assistance for relief efforts provided via the Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism. The EU fully supports the International Atomic Energy Agency’s work to strengthen nuclear safety and security in Ukraine.
8. Fifth, the EU and its Member States will intensify their diplomatic outreach efforts and continue to cooperate with Ukraine and other countries to ensure the widest possible international support for the key principles and objectives of Ukraine’s Peace Formula, including through an upcoming Global Peace Summit. Any initiative for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine must be based on full respect for its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
9. Sixth, the EU underlined that it remains firmly committed to ensuring that Russia is held fully accountable for its war of aggression against Ukraine. We welcome the fact that the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine has started its support operations. The European Council took stock of efforts to establish a tribunal for the prosecution of the crime of aggression against Ukraine, including work done in the Core Group, and called for the work to continue. It further welcomed the adoption of the Ljubljana-The Hague Convention on International Cooperation in the Investigation and Prosecution of the Crime of Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, War Crimes and other International Crimes, and called on all countries to become parties to the Convention as soon as possible.
10. Furthermore, the European Council discussed efforts to further increase pressure on Russia in order to weaken its ability to wage its war of aggression, including through sanctions, their full and effective implementation and the prevention of their circumvention. In this context, it welcomed the adoption of the 11th package of sanctions and called on the co-legislators to swiftly finalise work on the proposed Directive approximating criminal offences and penalties for the violation of the Union’s restrictive measures.
11. Mr. Chair, in just a few days, we will reach the tragic milestone of the 500th day of Russia's unprovoked, unjustified, and illegal full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine. On 28 June, Russian missiles struck Kramatorsk, targeting a shopping area and a restaurant. At least 13 innocent civilians were killed and over 60 others were injured. Among the victims of this senseless brutality were two 14-year-old twin sisters, Yuliya and Anna Aksenchenko, and a Ukrainian writer and human rights activist, Victoria Amelina. More indiscriminate Russian attacks followed, including in Sumy and Kherson regions of Ukraine, and overnight in Lviv. Russia’s unjust war has brought nothing but casualties, devastation and destruction - first and foremost to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Russia must immediately cease its war of aggression, and completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its troops, proxies and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. We will continue to stand with Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes.

The Candidate Countries NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, ALBANIA*, UKRAINE, the REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, and BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA*, the Potential Candidate Country GEORGIA, and the EFTA countries 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 to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.