OSCE Permanent Council No. 1510 Vienna, 27 February 2025

1. On 24 February, we marked a painful anniversary—three years since Russia launched its unprovoked, unjustifiable, and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. But it has also been three years of resistance and heroism by the Ukrainian people in the face of the aggressor.

2. According to the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), the number of civilian casualties, many of whom were children, increased by 30 per cent in 2024 compared to 2023. "Civilians have been killed and injured in 24 of Ukraine’s 27 administrative regions". These are not just numbers—they represent thousands of human tragedies.

3. "Russian armed forces have deliberately, repeatedly and systematically attacked energy infrastructure in Ukraine through a series of large-scale, coordinated strikes". Russia’s attacks have also affected medical facilities, with a threefold increase compared to 2023, according to HRMMU.  Attacks on educational institutions rose by 96% in the same period. An estimated 139,000 km² of Ukraine is now contaminated with explosive remnants of war and landmines, which will likely cause civilian casualties far into the future. On Saturday night, Russia attacked Ukraine with 267 drones—the largest drone attack since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression. Russian authorities have subjected Ukrainian prisoners of war to systematic and widespread torture, including sexual violence and inhumane detention conditions, according to testimonies from those who have returned to Ukraine. Many, however, have died in custody, while others were reportedly brutally executed in violation of the Third Geneva Convention.

4. These are facts, and they show the cruelty of Russia‘s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine—a sovereign, free, and independent state, a war that continues. We condemn it, once again, along with all attempts aimed at undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. 

5. 26February marked Ukraine‘s Resistance Day to Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol (Crimea). We remind that three years into the war of aggression that Russia launched against Ukraine, and eleven years after Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol, both in manifest violation of its obligations under the UN Charter and international law, all states have an obligation not to recognise any attempts by Russia to forcibly and illegally integrate or annex parts of Ukraine’s territory.

6. We reiterate, once more, the European Union’s unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Crimea is Ukraine. Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk are Ukraine.

7. No one wants peace more than Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the UN Charter and international law.

8. There can be no lasting peace without justice. There can be no impunity for any perpetrators and accomplices of Russia’s crimes. All those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity and other crimes committed in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, including the crime of aggression, must and will be held accountable. The OSCE Moscow Mechanism and ODIHR reports remain crucial tools in our pursuit of justice and we will continue to make full use of them. 

9. We reaffirm our determination to continue to provide multi-faceted support to Ukraine and its people, including financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support, for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed to help Ukraine exercise its inherent right to self-defence.

10. The EU also remains committed to limiting Russia’s ability to wage its war of aggression. On 24 February, the EU adopted its 16^th package of economic and individual restrictive measures. This new round of sanctions targets, among other things, Russia‘s shadow fleet, banks used to circumvent sanctions, and media outlets  spreading propaganda in an attempt to justify Russia‘s illegal war of aggression and destabilise neighbouring countries.

11. We reiterate the EU’s support for Ukraine's resilience and reconstruction in line with its future in the EU. We also emphasise that the OSCE‘s support for Ukraine must continue and be stepped up once the situation permits. 

12. Mr Chair, on 24 February, the Ukrainian flag flew high in Brussels and in many European Union capitals— a symbol of our unwavering support for Ukraine and a tribute to all the brave Ukrainians fighting for their freedom and for our shared values and principles.This commitment was further reaffirmed on Monday, when European Commission President von der Leyen and European Council President Costa, alongside many EU leaders, visited Kyiv, demonstrating our solidarity with Ukraine.

13. We stand with Ukraine.

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