OSCE Permanent Council No. 1565 - EU Statement on the Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine
OSCE Permanent Council No. 1565
Vienna, 21 May 2026
EU Statement on the Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine
Mr. Chair,
Today, we wear vyshyvankas or blue-and-yellow colours as a defiant symbol of our unshaken solidarity with our Ukrainian colleagues and the people of Ukraine, who defend their freedom, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and identity—alongside our shared values. Their courage and resilience are an inspiration. Our firm condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and our commitment to a free and sovereign Ukraine, within its internationally recognised borders, remain unwavering.
Over recent days, Russia’s escalating drone and missile strikes across Ukraine targeted residential areas, educational facilities, energy infrastructure, industrial facilities and port infrastructure. These attacks have caused multiple civilian fatalities, including among emergency workers and first responders. According to UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission, more people were killed and injured in Ukraine in the first four months of 2026 compared to the same period of the last three years. The scale of civilian casualties and the extent of territory affected by the Russian strikes this month alone are deeply alarming. We unequivocally condemn these attacks and demand Russia to cease its aggression and withdraw all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine. Intentionally directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects, as well as indiscriminate attacks, constitute violations of international humanitarian law and amount to war crimes.
We support all efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine, grounded in international law, including the rules and principles of the UN Charter and of the Helsinki Final Act. We urge Russia to demonstrate genuine commitment to peace by agreeing to a full, unconditional and immediate ceasefire and engage in meaningful negotiations.
There can be no just and lasting peace without accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, as well as for all crimes committed in connection with Russia`s war of aggression. Within the framework of the Council of Europe, the EU recently joined the Enlarged Partial Agreement the Management Committee of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and became party to the International Claims Commission to ensure victims are compensated. ODIHR and OSCE Human Dimension Mechanisms can further contribute to accountability efforts. The recent invocation of the Moscow Mechanism by 41 OSCE states, including all EU members, underscores our collective resolve.
The OSCE plays and will continue to play a role in view of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
We acknowledge the recent exchange of prisoners of war as a positive step. However, we must emphasise that far too many individuals remain unlawfully detained, including the three OSCE staff members—Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov, and Dmytro Shabanov. We reiterate our call for their immediate and unconditional release and we encourage the Secretary General to continue his efforts to this end and to inform the participating States on progress achieved. We also call for the swift and safe return of all Ukrainian children who have been forcibly transferred or deported.
Mr Chair,
The EU remains firm in its comprehensive support for Ukraine—political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic—in close coordination with partners and allies. The EU and its Member States stand ready to contribute to robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine, based on their respective competences and capabilities and in line with international law. We will also intensify the pressure on Russia to cripple its war economy and bring it to the negotiating table.
We urge all countries to immediately cease any assistance to Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine, whether direct or indirect, and notably through the provision of dual-use goods and components. In particular, we strongly condemn the deployment of the DPRK’s military forces in the war against Ukraine as well as the continued military support provided by Iran, Belarus and the DPRK, among others.
Mr Chair,
We strongly condemn the breaches of the national airspace of EU Member States, most recently of Romania, as well as of Republic of Moldova. By waging its war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia is creating security risks across the wider region. We express our full solidarity with all EU Member States and countries that continue to be provoked and threatened by Russia.
Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway and Ukraine align themselves with this statement.