Madam Chairperson,  

At the outset, I want to congratulate the Chairpersonship on successfully conducting the first supplementary human dimension meeting with a special focus on civil society.

Times of war have additionally highlighted the role civil society plays in ensuring accountability for violations of international law.  

In Ukraine its engagement is as important as ever, since russia continues its reckless attacks against civilians and critical infrastructure unabated. 

Just in three months Ukraine has been hit with almost 1200 russian missiles and rockets, including aeroballistic, and more than 1500 Shaheds.

Such cities as Kharkiv, Odesa, Sumy, Chernihiv, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro, and respective regions lack reliable defence against russian daily terrorist attacks.  

Missiles, drones, artillery continue to hit ordinary houses, energy facilities, and port infrastructure.

Only by one attack on the 19^th of April, russia claimed the lives of eight civilians, including a 14-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy, in Dnipro and the region. 34 people were wounded.

According to Ivan Fedorov, head of the Zaporizhzhia regional administration, only during the 22^nd of April russia fired the Zaporizhzhia region more than 5oo times.

This includes 182 UAVs and 317 attacks; 13 shellings with MLRS; also, airstrikes.  A grim reality for settlement along the frontline.

This serves as another proof of russia’s intentions to further terrorize the civilian population by attacking densely populated cities and depriving them of electricity, water, and heat.

Russia also attempts to weaponize information. A few days ago, russia destroyed a TV tower in Kharkiv. Obviously, by cutting access to communication, russia tries to create ground for disinformation and provoking chaos in a city which is home to one million people. 

Russia continues to challenge freedom of navigation in the Black Sea and global food security. Over the last week port infrastructure in the Odesa region was again attacked. 

Amidst these crimes, during the last meeting the russian delegation cynically replayed its old narrative about “common history, culture, and destiny” of the russian regime and Ukraine.   

This reflects the biggest misunderstanding of Ukraine and our people by the kremlin and its envoys. This misinterpretation has already led to tragic conclusions and decisions for russia itself. And this explains why moscow believed in a three-day aggression and Ukrainians greeting russian occupiers with flowers.

Nevertheless, on the 792^nd day of the full-scale invasion, russians still try to convince themselves that they could bomb Ukraine into “fraternal relations”. And we should remember what the russian “fraternity” means on the ground.

As a recent OHCHR report concludes, russia cultivates in the occupied territories, quote-unquote, “a stifling climate of fear, which was used to solidify control over the residents, suppress dissent and opposition, and induce compliance”.

However, being driven by an aberration about “common destiny”, the kremlin regime and its supporters are still ready to sacrifice lives of hundreds of thousands of their fellow citizens. Isn’t this price too high to dispel someone’s illusions at the end?  

And how many more tanks, warships, and strategic bombers should Ukraine destroy that russian decision-makers and diplomats finally acknowledge that the Ukrainians want and will build their future as independent, sovereign and European state?

At the same time, russian foreign minister in his recent interview just confirmed that moscow is focused on the war by stating that russia “will not pause the hostilities for the period of negotiations”. “The process must go on”, as he said.    

This also explains why moscow is trying its best to undermine the preparation for a Global Peace Summit based on Ukraine’s Peace Formula. 

At the same time, russia’s rhetoric proves that the continuation of the war against Ukraine is a fundamental threat to the OSCE and the European order.

This underlines that any discussion within the OSCE should proceed from the fact that russia will remain the biggest threat to the European security architecture.

Let’s be honest, how one can discuss with russia the protection of human rights, border security, sustainable development, election monitoring, trade and connectivity, as long as its occupying army continues to bombard peaceful cities and kill civilians?

How russia can enjoy privileges and rights stemming from the participation in the OSCE, given that it violates all principles of the Helsinki decalogue?  And how can one still trust russia’s words and promises given that the three OSCE officials have been kept in captivity already for two years?

Esteemed colleagues, 

We live in times when life, democracy, the rule of law and human rights can be effectively protected by ammunition, artillery, air defense systems and long-range missiles.

That’s why, let me express gratitude to all our European and American partners for adopting important decisions over the last week.   

These decisions play a crucial role, as putin and his army intensify their attacks on Ukrainian cities, civilians and infrastructure. Only our resolve to defend principles and values can prevent new atrocities and shape realistic prospects for a lasting and just peace in Europe.

I thank you, Madam Chairperson.