1. The 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act highlighted its continued validity, while deploring that many of its core principles have been and continue to be systematically violated, especially in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine where these principles are gravely breached. Russia’s aggression causes immense suffering, not least for civilians. The EU condemns in the strongest terms Russia’s relentless and deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. Indiscriminate attacks are clear violations of international humanitarian law. 

2. In September, the OHCHR reported that the total number of casualties increased by 40% in the first eight months of this year compared to 2024. Since the beginning of the full-scale war in 2022, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission estimates at least 21,000 civilian deaths and more than 38,000 civilians injured. The actual number is likely significantly higher.

3. The latest investigation by the Independent Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, along with ODIHR’s Seventh Interim Report, states that “Russia’s use of explosive weapons in populated areas remain the leading cause of civilian casualties, in blatant disregard of IHL, including the principles of distinction and proportionality”. According to the Commission, “these acts have been committed pursuant to a coordinated state policy and amount to crimes against humanity, with the primary purpose of spreading terror among the population, in grave violation of international humanitarian law.”

4. Appallingly, according to the latest findings of the Moscow Mechanism “Russia is committing widespread and systematic violations of IHL and IHRL in its treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war. These include arbitrary killings and executions, both on the battlefield and in detention, torture and ill-treatment, denial of fair trial rights, inhumane detention conditions, inadequate food and medical care, exposure to contagious diseases, forced labour, severe beatings, sexual violence and psychological humiliation.”

5. The EU call for accountability for all crimes and human rights violations and abuses stemming from Russia’s war of aggression; thus OSCE, through ODIHR and Human Dimension Mechanisms, can bring its contribution. We also reiterate the vital role civil society organisations and human rights defenders play in ensuring accountability and sustaining vibrant democracies.

6. We will also continue to demand the immediate and unconditional release and safe return of all forcibly transferred and deported Ukrainian children and civilians arbitrarily detained, including the three OSCE staff members: Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov and Dmytro Shabanov. 

7. We support all efforts towards achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, grounded in the principles of the UN Charter and international law, as well as of the Helsinki Final Act. The EU firmly believes that upholding and implementing international law and OSCE principles and commitments and ensuring accountability, along with meaningful dialogue, are the only ways to effectively address cross-dimensional challenges, resolve disputes, and achieve peace, security, and stability. Honest and genuine engagement from all participating States is essential to achieving this goal. 

The Candidate Countries NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, ALBANIA*, UKRAINE, the REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA*, and the EFTA countries ICELAND, LIECHTENSTEIN and NORWAY, member of the European Economic Area, as well as ANDORRA align themselves with this statement.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.