Madam Chairperson,  

Every day russia kills people and destroys critical infrastructure in Ukraine.

Yesterday yet another horrible attack took place.

Russia hit a densely populated area in Chernihiv with three missiles.

At least, 18 people were killed and 78 more were wounded.

It is terror in its most heinous manifestation. Just one of many cases.

We are grateful to the Chairpersonship for its prompt condemnation of this attack.   

Unfortunately, the civilian death toll will continue to grow. 

Given that only 3% of Russian missiles, drones and guided bombs hit military targets. 97% of them hit civilian infrastructure.

Russian propagandists do not hide their intentions, openly declaring that their goal is to make Ukrainian cities uninhabitable.

Apart from missiles and drones, russia drops massive guided aerial bombs on Kharkiv, Sumy, and other areas and communities along the front line.

To counter russia’s terror, Ukraine needs additional air defence systems.

At the same time, by continuing missile attacks, russia ruins its future.

Russian bloggers are bragging that the cost of one russian missile is equal to the construction of a brand-new school.

Instead of repairing its degrading infrastructure, russia destroys those in Ukraine.

These distorted priorities prove that moscow remains focused on the war.

Given that we need a clear understanding of threats posed by russia for our common future.

So, we are grateful to Bulgaria for co-hosting the Black Sea Security Conference of Crimea Platform this week. We also thank all participants for their valuable contributions to the discussions.   

As stated by Minister Kuleba, quote-unquote, “The russian aggressive war has proved of how the security of the Black Sea region is indivisible. Therefore, the complete restoration of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity will bring stability, security, and the prospect of strong economic development to the Black Sea region”.

Esteemed colleagues,

The disinformation campaign remains a part and parcel of the russian aggression.

A so-called “escalation” is its key element.

How many times did we hear this in the past 785 days of the war?

Every time when a decision was expected on providing Ukraine with modern artillery, MLRS, air-defence systems, tanks or combat jets.

But the reality proved that providing Ukraine with military aid remains the best and cheapest option to avoid dangerous escalation in a number of killed civilians and destroyed infrastructure facilities.

Furthermore, the reality proved that only military equipment can effectively stop the attacks of the russian occupying army and defend the rules-based order we all benefit from.

Let me give you one example. From October 2023 to February 2024, in the Avdiivka sector, russia lost 47186 personnel, 364 tanks, 748 armoured combat vehicles, 248 artillery systems and 5 aircraft.

This clearly demonstrates why russia is so focused on disarming of Ukraine.

Because a disarmed Ukraine is the only opportunity for the russian army to move and kill.

At the same time, russia’s disinformation vocabulary is worth checking further.

Russia says that it was forced to start the war to protect its vital interests.  

However, the conquest of a sovereign state and subjugation of free people cannot be a vital interest.

It is the supreme international crime, which contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole, as ruled by the International Military Tribunal in 1946.

Russia says that it fights for its survival.

However, democracy, the rule of law and human rights cannot be an existential threat. Except, perhaps, for a dictatorship.

Russia says that it wants peace.

But while Ukraine together with partners is preparing for a Global Peace Summit to be generously hosted by Switzerland, russia is preparing to mobilize additional 300000 troops in June.

Russia says that it wants stability in international relations.   

However, the intensification of cooperation with Teheran and Pyohgyang threatens global security, russia’s nuclear blackmailing undermines the non-proliferation regime and the occupation of the ZNPP has set a dangerous precedent for terrorists around the world.

Russia says that it wants mutual respect and the rule of law. 

But the denial of Ukraine’s right to exist remains the key driver of russia’s war and atrocities committed in Ukraine.

Russia says that it is interested in mutually beneficial cooperation.

But, networks of spies is the only russia’s export, as a growing number of reports reveals. While russia floods social networks with an army of its bots.

Russia blames that the OSCE fails to implement its mandate.

But, for the OSCE to deliver, moscow must respect all ten Helsinki principles and OSCE commitments with regard to Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and its own people, as well as to release the three OSCE officials.  

Russia says that moscow cannot be defeated.

However, russia’s defeat would mean only the withdrawal of the russian troops, restoration of inviolability of borders and securing sovereign equality.

Could such Ukraine’s victory be a threat to russia’s state? Absolutely, not.

Could such Ukraine’s victory be in the interest of all participating States? Absolutely, yes.

However, this disinformation vocabulary demonstrates that the kremlin will remain focused on undermining our societies and the OSCE, election meddling, cyberattacks, eroding international institutions and regimes, weaponizing of migration and food security, challenging freedom of navigation and attacking our critical infrastructure and so on.  

At the same time, a predictable opponent is a comfortable opponent.

And we have to seize this chance to make the OSCE area more secure.

By recognizing these threats.

By focusing the OSCE on these common challenges.

By consolidating russia’s isolation within the OSCE.

And by providing Ukraine with defense systems to protect our skies from the russian terror, by giving Ukraine enough artillery to return freedom on the occupied territories and by ensuring moscow’s accountability to secure future generation from russia’s new attacks.  

As Minister Kuleba stated to the OSCE on the first anniversary of russia’s invasion: “there are no participating states “East of Vienna and West of Vienna” any more. There is only one participating state that still believes it can veto freedom of choice and conquer its neighbours instead. This is a major threat to stability in Europe. It is time to put an end to it”.  

I thank you, Madam Chairperson.