OSCE Permanent Council No. 1568 - EU Statement on the Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine
Russia persists in its choice of war over peace. It is deliberately intensifying its strikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure, terrorising the population and causing widespread destruction across Ukraine. Russia shows no genuine willingness to end its war of aggression against Ukraine, ignoring repeated international calls for peace, including President Zelenskyy’s recent offer to engage in direct negotiations. Russia alone bears responsibility for this war and for the unrelenting
suffering it inflicts daily. Russia can end this war today. We once again call on Russia to cease its aggression and engage meaningfully in efforts towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, rooted in international law, the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act.
The EU and its Member States stand in unwavering solidarity with Ukraine, offering comprehensive support and preparing to contribute to robust and credible security guarantees, based on their respective competences and capabilities and in line with international law. Our commitment to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders remains unwavering. In coordination with our international partners, the EU will also intensify pressure on Russia, including by additional sanctions.
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,
On 6 June, Ukraine marked Journalists’ Day. We underscore the essential work of journalists and media actors in ensuring public awareness and documenting the violations of international law in the context of Russia’s war of aggression. Journalists are civilians and must be protected at all times in armed conflicts. We honour all those who have risked their lives and continued reporting under extremely dangerous conditions. Some lost their freedom or their lives. Viktoriia Roshchyna spent her career documenting the realities of Russia’s war. She died in Russian captivity. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, at least 149 media actors have been killed, including 21 while carrying out their journalistic duties. Around 30 Ukrainian journalists remain in Russian captivity. We demand their immediate and unconditional release, along with all unlawfully detained civilians, including the three OSCE staff members—Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov, and Dmytro Shabanov—who must be freed without further delay.
We further demand the safe and immediate return of all deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children.
The EU is determined to hold Russia accountable for all violations of international law in its war of aggression against Ukraine. We acknowledge the valuable work of the ODIHR and the OSCE Human Dimension Mechanisms in supporting these efforts. The OSCE plays and will continue to play a role in view of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
Mr Chair,
The drone explosion in the Romanian port of Constanța shows that Russia’s war is increasingly spilling over into EU territory. The ultimate responsibility for what happened rests squarely with Russia. We stand in 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, San Marino, and Ukraine align themselves with this statement.