OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation N°1134
Mr Chair, according to the United Nations, March 2026 saw the highest number of civilian casualties since July last year and an increase of 49% in comparison with February 2026, with at least 211 killed and 1,206 wounded. The UN also highlighted that attacks by Russian armed forces on Ukraine’s energy, railway and port infrastructure continued to severely disrupt daily life and put civilians at risk. Notwithstanding its claims in this and other fora, Russia’s actions do not demonstrate an interest in ending its war.
On 15-16 April, Russia conducted a large-scale wave of air strikes across many regions of Ukraine, reported as the worst attack this year with 17 civilians being killed including a 12-year-old child, and 100 people wounded.
The EU and its Member States resolutely condemn Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine. It constitutes a direct assault on the principles of the UN Charter and violates the OSCE’s core principles and commitments.
As Ukrainians are resisting Russia’s war of aggression and enduring its ongoing brutal campaign deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, we will continue to provide multi-faceted support, including political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine. In this context, High Representative Kaja Kallas highlighted last week: “The EU will provide Ukraine what it needs to hold its ground while we inhibit those enabling Russia’s illegal aggression. Russia’s war economy is under growing strain, while Ukraine is getting a major boost. We must keep up this pressure until Putin understands his war leads nowhere.” We remain determined to maintain and increase pressure on Russia and we urge it to agree to a full, unconditional and immediate ceasefire and engage in meaningful negotiations towards a just and lasting peace.
Last week, the Council of the EU adopted the legislation underpinning the EUR 90 billion EU loan to Ukraine, agreed by the European Council. The disbursements should begin as soon as possible in the second quarter of 2026. The loan will help cover the country’s most urgent budgetary and defence industrial capacity needs in 2026 and 2027. Two thirds of the amount support Ukraine’s capacity to invest in defence industrial capacities, including procurement and will give Ukraine crucial and timely access to defence products.
In addition, the Council of the EU last week also adopted the 20th package of sanctions aiming, among others, on Russia’s military-industrial complex and its energy revenues. With 120 further individual listings, it is the biggest package of listings in two years. This includes 58 companies and associated individuals involved in the development and manufacturing of military goods, such as drones. In addition to denying Russian military enterprises valuable EU technology, this package also addresses Russia’s reliance on third countries for the provision of critical high-tech items.
We call on Russia to stop its aggression and immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.
The EU and its Member States 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.
We also strongly condemn the repeated breaches of the airspace of our Member States by the Russian Federation, including of Romania on 16-17 April and on 25-26 April, as a consequence of the brutal Russian attacks against Ukraine´s civilian infrastructure at the ports on the Danube. The fragments recovered by the Romanian authorities prove the affiliation of the unmanned aerial vehicles. This is a blatant, unacceptable violation of Romania’s sovereignty. We urge Russia to refrain from further violations of the airspace of the European Union’s Member States, which represent a serious threat to regional security. We express our full solidarity with Romania and all other affected states.
Mr Chair, we reaffirm our strong commitment to ensuring full accountability for war crimes and the other most serious crimes committed in connection with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Accountability is essential. Without it, there can be no durable peace.
Thank you.
Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway and Ukraine align themselves with this statement.