Mister Chairperson,  

I will start by quoting the Paris Statement of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, EEAS, and European Commission.

“We are ready to enhance our support for Ukraine. We commit to its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia's war of aggression.

We share the goal to keep supporting Ukraine until a just, comprehensive and lasting peace is reached. A peace that guarantees the interest of Ukraine and our own.

We are looking forward to discussing the way ahead together with our American allies. Our shared objectives should be to put Ukraine in a position of strength. Ukraine and Europe must be part of any negotiations.

Ukraine should be provided with strong security guarantees. A just and lasting peace in Ukraine is a necessary condition for a strong transatlantic security.

We recall that the security of the European continent is our common responsibility. We are therefore working together to strengthen our collective defense capabilities”. End of quote.

Mister Chairperson,  

Three years ago, the Russian delegation began its statement with the following words, and I quote, “as the facts show, all these “scare stories” [about Russia’s imminent attack on Ukraine] turned out to be nothing more than a “puff of propaganda” and idle talk”.

Yet, three years later, Russian missiles, drones and bombs continue to kill Ukrainian civilians and to destroy our peaceful cities. Each and every day.

As it happened yesterday, when at 4 a.m., while the civilians were sleeping, the Russian regime attacked Kyiv and Kryvyi Rih with six ballistic missiles. They were launched from the Briansk region of Russia and the occupied Crimea. Not to mention 123 Shahed drones.   

Tragically, one person was killed, and four others — including a child — were injured.

The list of the Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities is far from being exhausted. On 6 of February, Russia killed three people in Myropillia, the Sumy region. On 9 of February Russia dropped a bomb on Kramatorsk, the Donetsk region, killing one person and injuring nine others. On 10 of February, one person was killed in Beryslav, the Kherson region. But even these few examples show the systematic nature of the attacks.  

Moreover, as temperatures in Ukraine remained below zero, Russia also tried to destroy a gas production facility in the Poltava region. In total, 19 missiles, including ballistic and cruise ones, were launched on 11 of February.

Russia’s attempts to worsen a humanitarian situation in Ukraine is a stark reminder of its genocidal vile intentions.      

At the same time, every week during these three years Russia continues to refer to so-called “facts” to whitewash new crimes and justify the war of aggression.  

So, let’s facts speak for themselves. 

According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission’s verified data, published two days ago, at least 139 civilians were killed and 738 injured in Ukraine in January 2025 alone.

This data shows “a clear and disturbing pattern of short-range drones or so-called FPV drones being used in ways that put civilians at grave risk”.

In January 2025, these FPV drones killed and injured more civilians than any other weapon. People were attacked in their cars, on buses, and on streets.

The city of Kherson, particularly along the Dnipro River, was affected the most. In January, these drones caused 70 per cent of all civilian casualties in the region.

An increase in civilian casualties from FPV drones was also documented in other frontline areas, including the regions of Kharkiv, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia.

These drones are equipped with cameras that allows their operators to assess a potential target with a high degree of certainty. The Russian soldiers know what they are doing. That is a fact.

It is just a human safari, isn’t it?

Just like the systematic execution of Ukrainian POWs.

As the head of the HRMMU noted, “These incidents did not occur in a vacuum. Public figures in the Russian Federation have explicitly called for inhumane treatment, and even execution, of captured Ukrainian military personnel […] such statements have the potential to incite or encourage unlawful behaviour.”

That said, the Ukrainian delegation calls on the OSCE, including ODIHR, to properly assess such statements of the Russian leadership.

The dehumanization of Ukrainians and the denial of Ukraine’s right to exist are the main drivers of Putin’s bloody campaign against my fellow citizens.

Another major concern is the safety of children in the occupied territories. 

Children are being indoctrinated by para-military youth organizations. At the same time, as a part of the Russification, children are forced to learn new subjects about traditional values and “moral culture” of Russia.

Yet, we know too well what this Russia’s morality means in practice.

Especially, when the Russian occupation administration and the Kremlin-affiliated church are responsible for the forced subjugation of religious communities, repression of religious leaders and believers, destruction of independent religious structures, and imposition of the ideas of the “Russian world” in the occupied areas.

Excellencies,

As we approach the 11^th year of the Russian aggression, it is clear that Russian statements are nothing more than a puff of propaganda and idle talk.   

The continued missile attacks, territorial claims and ultimatums, deliberate killing of civilians with drones in real time, indoctrination of children are just some of examples that Russia is the main obstacle to a lasting peace for Ukraine.

The intensification of arms production, development of new ways to evade sanctions, expansion of its war machine through oil revenues, sharing of war experience with its pariah allies - these are all clear signs that Russia means a long-term threat to stability in Europe and beyond.

The fact that Russia has once again deliberately disrupted the rotation of IAEA experts at the Zaporizhzhia NPP is the repetition of its usual pattern of blackmail, threats and provocations already faced by the OSCE after the illegal detention of its three officials. This demonstrates that Russia will not be a reliable member of any international organization.

The deepening of ties with DPRK and Iran is further evidence that Russia is acting as a proxy for revanchist forces who wants a new order based on human rights violations and the use of force. If Russia succeeds in its aggression, these revanchist forces will be further inspired to challenge our countries and societies. Should we allow this new brave world to emerge? Definitely, not.    

And will European security be sustainable on the basis of Russia’s blatant lies, false “security concerns” and empty promises? Obviously, not.

Yet, based on the lessons of the recent past and the OSCE’s own experience – be it the war against Georgia, occupation of Crimea or creeping aggression in the Donbas – we have every opportunity to reach a strong deal that will lead to a lasting peace rather than to a postponed war.  

Not appeasement, engagement or pleasing, but political, economic and military pressure can force Russia to live up its commitments and obligations. In other words, if we act in line with the principle of “peace through strength”.  

In practical terms, this means strengthening the sanctions regime, including against the banking sector, closing loopholes that allow Russia to obtain critical components for its weapons, confiscating frozen assets, addressing the challenge of the shadow fleet, and so on.      

On the other hand, increased military and defense assistance to Ukraine will make Russia respect Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and integrity.

And last but not least, it is well known that international law is based on generally accepted practices, including unaddressed violations.

But, territorial claims, wars of aggression, state terror against civilians must never become the new norm of international law.

That’s why we will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure that no Russian crime or violation of norms and principles is left unchecked and uncorrected.  

The recent meeting of the Core Group on the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression in Brussels has become an important step towards restoring justice and ensuring accountability.

Holding the Russian troika to account is in the best interests of Ukraine, Europe and the entire world.

The OSCE can and should continue to play its part in ending Russia’s impunity.

I thank you, Mister Chairperson.