Mr Chair, thank you for your efforts to give us an opportunity to deliver our statements.

1.Mr Chair, last week was marked by the commemoration of the 80th anniversary ofD-Day. As European Council President Michel stated on the occasion, we honour the fallen who fought war so we can enjoy peace, who fought authoritarianism so we can have democracy, and who fought tyranny so we can live in freedom. We should also acknowledge our duty to carry on their legacy.
2.Russia’s unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal war of aggression is a reminder thatwe still cannot take peace, freedom and democracy for granted. Peace and freedom are under attack in Ukraine and beyond its borders following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Now hardly a single day passes without Russian attacks on civilian targets. Recently Russia further escalated the situation in the region of Kharkiv, causing many civilian casualties on top of those dying on the battlefield while defending their Ukrainian homeland from the existential threat posed by their neighbour Russia. Essentially Russia considers the entire territoryof Ukraine a target, while at the same time Russia falsely claims in this Forum that its actions are in self-defence
3.To achieve peace, a first step is taking place this weekend with the Summit on Peace in Ukraine. The summit represents a significant move towards acomprehensive, just and lasting peace, as well as towards the implementation of the key principles and objectives of Ukraine’s Peace Formula, based on the UN Charter and the principles of international law, notably respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States. The EU will be represented at the highest leveland we reiterate here the call by European Council President Michel on all leaders to support this peace effort by Switzerland.
4.When peace is finally achieved, the consequences of Russia’s illegal actions on Ukrainian soil will regretfully persist. Ukraine is now one of the countries most contaminated
by mines and explosive remnants worldwide, posing a major threat that could persist for generations to come. Last month, the EU delivered new mine clearing systems in the framework of the European Union’s support package for humanitarian demining in Ukraine, which ranges from basic equipment for demining teams to pyrotechnic vehicles and robotic demining systems.
5.Mr Chair, the EU and its Member States reiterate that Russia must immediately stop its unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal 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 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, 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.