Mister Chairperson,

As the OSCE approaches its mid-year point, it is important to take stock.

It is clear, that this has been a missed opportunity for peace since Russia rejected the US proposal for a full and comprehensive ceasefire back in March.

Instead, Russia has doubled its aerial attacks on Ukraine.

The past few months will be remembered for the children Russia killed in Kryvyi Rih, the bloody Palm Sunday in Sumy, the destroyed apartment building in Kyiv, the permanent bombardment of Kharkiv and Kherson, the “human safaris” deliberately carried out by Russian soldiers in frontline communities, the continued torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war, Russia’s lies aimed at justifying its refusal to return deported Ukrainian children, and many other Russian crimes.

The continued illegal detention of the three OSCE officials is further proof that dialogue with the aggressor is anything but an illusion. If not supported by pressure.

The Kremlin believes that new deaths, further human suffering, continued destruction and repeated ultimatums could strengthen its negotiating position. What a mistake.

This week was no exception. At least two massive attacks were carried out.

On 19 July Russia launched 344 drones, 12 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles, eight Iskander-K cruise missiles, and 15 Kh-101 cruise missiles.

The Donetsk, Kirovohrad, Dnipro, Sumy, Kherson, Volyn, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Odesa, and Zhytomyr regions were affected.

In Sumy, critical infrastructure was damaged, leaving several thousand families without electricity. Shostka was hit with combined strikes.

In Odesa, an apartment building was damaged — six people were wounded, including a child. One person was killed.

Pavlohrad also was affected. A residential building and critical infrastructure were damaged.

On 21 July Russia rained Ukraine with 426 Shaheds, five Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles, four Kalibr cruise missiles, one Iskander-K cruise missile, and 14 Kh-101 cruise missiles.

In Kyiv, a kindergarten caught fire, along with residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure. Apartment buildings were damaged in Kharkiv, Ivano-Frankivsk and the region.

15 people were injured, the youngest is a 12-year-old boy. Two people killed.

Last night Russia attacked Cherkasy and Odesa, including an area under UNESCO’s protection.

Esteemed colleagues,

Against the backdrop of all these crimes, we are grateful to the Finnish CIO for maintaining the OSCE as a platform to hold Russia accountable.

We also appreciate the prompt reaction by the CIO, OSCE Troika, OSCE Institutions and participating States to Russia’s ruthless attacks in recent months.

Together, we must expose Russia’s true intentions of prolonging the war.

By continuing to strengthen illegal ties, primarily military ones, with North Korea, the current Russian regime has made its choice: to act as a proxy for rogue states that are willing to challenge existing norms, rules and principles; to provoke instability in various regions; and to undermine our common security.

This has been lasting for too long to believe that current Russian regime can be convinced to choose peace and return to the principles of international law through diplomatic calls and appeals.

Only increasing pressure and tough action can stop the senseless killings and create space for diplomacy.

We are, therefore, grateful to the EU for the adoption of the 18th sanctions package.

Targeting Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”, going after companies enabling Russia’s oil exports and introducing a stricter price cap on oil could make a difference.

Every penny received by Moscow from oil and gas is simply funding a bullet that kills the innocent people. This must be stopped. Cheap oil is not worth human life.

It is very important that the new EU sanctions package is also supported by other non-EU European states.

The synchronization of sanctions across jurisdictions is an important matter.

Ukraine also welcomes the decision of the UK to impose sanctions on Russia because of its malicious cyber activity against the UK, the EU and NATO member states, as well as Ukraine.

It is a strong and timely response to Russia’s ongoing cyber campaign aimed at destabilising European democratic institutions, energy infrastructure, telecommunications companies, electoral processes and the media, with the ultimate goal of undermining European stability and security.

Providing Ukraine with long-range missiles, air defence systems, and ammunitions would effectively create a shield to protect Ukrainian civilians.

Colleagues, it is crucial that we continue to document each and every Russia’s violation and crime against peace.

We believe that the reports from the ODIHR and the Moscow Mechanism will be a valuable contribution to the work of a Special Tribunal, as was the case with the ECHR.

This is how we can ensure that accountability is inevitable. This is the basis for enforcing the principles of the Helsinki Final Act.

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that Ukraine will continue to work constructively with the United States, with Europe, with all our partners from Ottawa to London, to Tokyo, to Canberra, to achieve a just and lasting peace.

We need to increase momentum in negotiations to end the war.

That said, Ukraine has proposed to the Russian side a new meeting in Türkiye.

The agenda is clear for us – the full and comprehensive ceasefire, the return of prisoners of war, the return of children abducted by Russia, and preparation for the leaders’ meeting.

Likewise, our position remains consistent – a just and lasting peace must be based on the principles and norms of international law, in particular the principles of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and respect for human rights.

Let’s not allow Russia to spoil yet another chance for peace.

I thank you, Mr. Chairperson.