On July 22, 2020, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Andriy Taran took part in the Closing session of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation, summing up the results of its work under the chairpersonship of Ukraine in the second trimester of 2020.

Ukraine led the Forum in an unprecedented time of crisis related to COVID-19 and the ongoing Russian aggression against the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of our state. These factors have made managing this important OSCE body a demanding and difficult task, the minister said.

According to the head of the ministry, the source of instability of the politico-military and security situation in Europe lies in the aggressive foreign policy of the Kremlin. Tensions in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov are escalating as a result of their unprecedented militarization by Russia, its occupation of the sovereign territories of Ukraine and Georgia, and the impediment of freedom of navigation.

"I would like to make a clear and strong emphasis on one issue - Russian aggression against Ukraine remains the main problem of our national and regional security," Andriy Taran stressed.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been used by Russian propaganda to spread false accusations in cyberspace and to create the conditions for the unjustified lifting of sanctions imposed by the international community against Russia for violating peace and international law.

Politico-military aspects of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine remained in the spotlight of the Forum. The treacherous murder of a Ukrainian military medic by the Russian occupation forces in Donbas on July 13 was a sad testament to the importance of persistent efforts to curb the further escalation of the conflict and ensure compliance with international humanitarian law.

Andrii Taran assessed the results of consideration of the priority issues of the Ukrainian Chairpersonship during the Forum meetings and outlined the views of the Ukrainian side on several security challenges that need a joint OSCE response.

He drew particular attention to monitoring of the situation on the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula, militarization, and obstruction of the freedom of navigation in the Azov-Black Sea region; combating the illicit trafficking of weapons and ammunition across national borders in conflict zones, primarily the part of the Ukrainian-Russian border located in the temporarily occupied territories of Donbas; development of means to counter hybrid threats; making progress in modernizing the Vienna Document 2011 on Confidence-and Security-Building Measures, in particular, to increase transparency during large-scale no-notice military exercises.

In response to the speech of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, the delegations of the OSCE participating States praised the tireless and professional work of the Ukrainian Chairpersonship. They stressed the urgency of the issues raised during the meetings for European security amid continuing violations of international law and the OSCE's fundamental principles by the Russian Federation, which continues its aggression against Ukraine and the illegal occupation of the Crimean peninsula.

The OSCE participating States reaffirmed their unwavering support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our state. They expressed serious concern over Russia's holding of large-scale snap military exercise on July 17-21 this year. In this context, participants stressed the need to modernize the Vienna Document 2011 on Confidence-and Security-Building Measures.

For reference: for the first time in almost thirty years of its participation in the OSCE, Ukraine is chairing the Forum for Security Cooperation of this organization. It was the first participating State to perform this function online. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba officially opened Ukrainian Chairpersonship on July 29, 2020.

The following meetings were held under the Chairpersonship of Ukraine in this OSCE Forum for Security Cooperation:

April 29 – Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Minister of Ukraine, opened the session under Ukrainian Chairpersonship;

May 13 – FSC meeting with security dialogue on “Small arms and light weapons, stockpiles of conventional ammunition and mine action. Anatolii Petrenko, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, participated in the meeting as a guest speaker from Ukraine;

May 20 – joint FSC-PC meeting with security dialogue on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 “Women, Peace and Security”. Tetiana Kovalchuk, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, participated in the meeting as a guest speaker from Ukraine;

May 27– FSC meeting with security dialogue on “Regional security in Black Sea and Sea of Azov region”. Anton Korynevych, Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, participated in the meeting as a guest speaker from Ukraine;

June 10 – Annual Discussion on the Implementation of the Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security under the Chairpersonship of Ukraine;

June 17 – FSC meeting with security dialogue on “Private military and security companies”. MajGen Vаdym Skіbіtskyi, Main Intelligence Department, Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, participated in the meeting as a guest speaker from Ukraine with a presentation on the “Private military companies and their role in modern regional conflicts”;

25 June – Annual Security Review Conference Working session III: Conventional arms control and confidence and security building measures: challenges and opportunities under the Chairpersonship of Ukraine;

July 1 – FSC meeting with security dialogue on “the Vienna Document 2011”, LtGen Leonid Holopatiuk, Chief, Department of Military Cooperation and Verification, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, participated in the meeting as a guest speaker from Ukraine;

July 8 – “Non-proliferation of WMD”;

July 15 – joint FSC-PC meeting with security dialogue on “Hybrid Threats and Modern Warfare”. Oleksandr Lytvynenko, Director of the National Institute for Strategic Studies, participated in the meeting as a guest speaker from Ukraine with a presentation on the “Russian Hybrid War against Ukraine: 2014-?”;

July 22 – Andrii Taran, Minister of Defence of Ukraine, concluded the chairpersonship of Ukraine in the Form for Security Cooperation.

The forum was established in 1992. It now brings together 57 OSCE participating States and 11 OSCE Partners for Cooperation. The Forum adopts decision on measures to strengthen confidence and security in the OSCE region and conventional arms control. It serves as a platform for discussing ways to reduce the risk of conflict, current challenges to European security, and the status of implementation of existing OSCE commitments in the politico-military dimension. The Forum established an effective mechanism to assist states in preventing illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons and conventional ammunition, democratic control over the armed forces, implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on "Women, Peace, and Security" and UN Security Council Resolution 1540 on non-proliferation of WMD. Since 2014, the Forum's weekly plenary sessions have been focused on discussing and condemning Russia's gross violations of OSCE core principles and commitments through its aggression against Ukraine.

Statement by Mr. Andrii Taran, Minister of Defence of Ukraine, at the Closing session of the OSCE Forum for Security Cooperation under the Chairpersonship of Ukraine

(22 July 2020)

Mr. Chairperson,

Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this meeting which is the last during Ukrainian Chairpersonship in the OSCE Forum for Security Cooperation.

Ukraine assumed its responsibilities of chairing this important decision-making body under unprecedented circumstances of the COVID-19 crisis and ongoing aggression on its territorial integrity and sovereignty. Both of these factors made our Chairpersonship a challenging as well as a demanding task.

During our tenure at the head of the Forum for Security Cooperation the security situation in the OSCE region continued to be marked by gross violations of international law and OSCE norms and principles, enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act and the Paris Charter. These negative developments further erode trust and confidence, decrease predictability and transparency, and undermine security in the whole OSCE area.

These are the signs that urged us to open a frank discussion over the issues that might not be comfortable for all. However, the OSCE and its participating States should stand for its founding principles and seek solutions for a strong and coherent response, when these principles are severely infringed upon.

By shying away from these discussions, we will not be able to restore peace and security in Europe. We put forward, for consideration of the Forum those topics that reflect the root causes of these negative developments and its consequences for the entire OSCE community.

Therefore, the politico-military aspects of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine remained in the spotlight of the Forum during our Chairpersonship. The treacherous murder of a Ukrainian military medic in Donbas on July 13 is just another example of how important it is to exert every effort in deterring further escalation of the conflict and safeguarding the international humanitarian law.  

Through the security dialogues Ukraine has been sharing its bitter national experience of countering foreign aggression in its various manifestations, while preserving the relevance of the topics discussed for participating States. Both, current and long-established issues of the Forum were included into the priorities of Ukrainian Chairpersonship.

I am delighted to share with you today some of our assessments of the outcomes of these dialogues and offer views on a number of security issues that genuinely require further collective response of the OSCE.

COVID-19 

One of the agenda items discussed during Security Dialogue was the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on the politico-military aspects of security in the OSCE area, including the implementation of the Confidence and Security Building Measures.

We share with our partners the vision that one of the problems of the pandemic is that some states and non-state actors are trying to use this situation to spread propaganda and false accusations using cyberspace and social media to undermine confidence in democratic institutions, and create conditions to lift sanctions related to violation of international law.

Another problem related to the postponement of verification activities and the negative effect of the pandemic on the conflicts in the OSCE area was covered. Particular attention was attached to the impediment of SMM and international humanitarian mission’s activities in Ukraine under the guise of COVID-19, and importance to heed to the appeal of UN Secretary General on the global ceasefire.

These deliberations served as a good basis for further thorough assessment of the COVID-19 implications within the OSCE, most notably in the Structured Dialogue meetings.

We believe that extra attention should be paid to this topic due to its unpredictability and in view of the need to renew the verification activities under the politico-military instruments and to improve adaptive measures within OSCE structures and field missions.

Security Situation

Another key topic addressed by the Forum is the overall security situation in the OSCE area.

I would like to make one point with this regard very clearly and strongly – Russian aggression against Ukraine remains as the top issue for our national and regional security.

Our country has been at war since 2014 struggling as a Nation to restore our sovereignty and territorial integrity within our internationally recognized borders.

Now it is clear that all major conflicts on the post-USSR territory – in Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine, are like links in a single chain, one leads to another, but their roots lie in the Kremlin`s aggressive foreign policy.

The security situation in the East of Ukraine, around our borders and in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov region still remains highly tense. It is marked by ongoing unprecedented militarization, occupation of the sovereign territories of Ukraine and Georgia, and impediment of the freedom of navigation.

We assess that more attention and involvement of the OSCE in these processes are needed. The SMM’s enhanced monitoring of the situation is important in order to provide an objective picture, even in a limited scope due to ongoing restrictions of its freedom of movement.

Small Arms and Light Weapons and Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition, Mine Action and Mine Threats

Our priorities also included an emphasis on the issue of small arms and light weapons (SALW), and stockpiles of conventional ammunition (SCA).

Illicit SALW and conventional ammunition continue to increase instability and incite further armed violence, derailing sustainable development and crisis management efforts, further destabilizing the OSCE region, fuelling organized crime and terrorist attacks.

Ukraine is committed to continue implementing standing OSCE and international documents in the field of SALW and SCA.

During our Chairpersonship we managed to reach consensus on the adoption of the decision on the second Biennial meeting to assess the implementation of the OSCE documents on SALW and SCA.

Additionally, we brought to the attention of participating States the topic of mine action and mine threats, stemming from unresolved conflicts, and the OSCE’s role in assisting participating States in this field. The use of anti-personnel mines by a State Non-Party to the Mine Ban Convention against the State Party was given particular attention.

The root causes of illicit trafficking of SALW and conventional ammunition, including across national borders in the conflict zones, and ongoing contamination of the territories with mines, landmines and UXO is a foreign aggression.

By defining and further eliminating the sources of this phenomena, we can achieve real progress in combating trafficking of SALW and conventional ammunition, and eliminating mine hazards in the OSCE region. Having said that, I would like to highlight two particular issues:

- importance of the full state border control by the Government of Ukraine to prevent illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons and conventional ammunition;

- humanitarian demining activities in Ukraine and in the controlled territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in particular.

Hybrid threats and modern warfare

Hybrid threats and modern warfare were discussed by the Forum and the Permanent Council meeting the week before (15 July).

Over the past six years, Russia has been carrying out large-scale subversive actions, cyber-attacks, attempts to interfere in the electoral process and used other hybrid instruments against Ukraine and other democratic states, thereby destroying the foundations of European security and creating a threat to peace and stability on the continent.

Unfortunately, these threats further endanger our societies, undermine our security and jeopardize the lives of people. There are diverging views on the topic of hybrid threats and hybrid warfare, but this should not discourage us from considerations on the challenges, that are at the top of the list of security concerns in many participating States.

A coherent international response to these threats is of paramount importance. Many participating States underlined the role that the OSCE can play through its various tools to respond to this cross-dimensional challenge.

The Vienna Document 2011 on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures, non-proliferation of WMD, UN Security Council Resolution 1540

The Forum considered the implementation and modernization of the Vienna Document 2011 on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures in light of rapid technological developments in the military domain, the lack of effective and up-to-date risk reduction and incident prevention mechanisms, changes in the military structure and conduct of exercises and other factors.

The negative impact of existing grey zones in the OSCE region, inaccessible for any verification activities and transparency measures under politico-military toolbox, was also outlined during this dialogue.

The overwhelming majority of the OSCE participating States support the process of modernization of the Vienna Document in order to more effectively meet the current challenges to the European security system through enhanced military transparency and predictability.

The recently conducted by Russia large scale, no notice military exercises, involving 150 thousand troops, is just another spark example why we need to update the Vienna Document. The joint proposal, which is on the table of the FSC, provides the opportunity to close this loophole and ensure mandatory transparency on this type of military activity. 

The Forum discussed issues related to the non-proliferation of WMD, in particular, the OSCE role in implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1540 and its possible contribution to Comprehensive Review process in 2021.

The work to facilitate the process of compiling OSCE Best Practice Guides on implementation of the Resolution 1540 as a potential contribution to the review process should be concluded. We wish the upcoming German FSC Chairpersonship tangible results on this direction and reassure of our full support.

Together with the OSCE Albanian Chairmanship, we commemorated the 20th Anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security and discussed ways ahead in achieving better equality in rights and opportunities of women and men in the security and defence sector.

Another security dialogue was dedicated to the activities and regulation of private military and security companies. Their covert use as tools for achieving political goals worldwide was also discussed. Ukraine’s bitter experience was the case in point. 

CLOSING REMARKS 

This brings me to my closing remarks. And I would like to reiterate once again that despite difficult epidemiological situation in Ukraine and ongoing hybrid aggression, my country remains committed to its international obligations.

We all have to painfully recognize that - as we speak - our defence forces continue to sustain combat casualties in Eastern Ukraine, civilian population suffers and local economy shrinks with real dangers to the environment. All this is continuing to be the reality in the Donbas caused by ongoing Russian aggression. This horrible situation cannot last indefinitely.

And the only way to halt the destructive and destabilising power of such actions is to restore full control by the Government over the entire stretch of our country’s internationally recognised borders in Eastern Ukraine.

To underline the importance of respecting the fundamental principles – the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence

I would like to remind you of the issue of illegal occupation of the Ukrainian Crimea. We need greater engagement of the OSCE on this issue. We are confident that Crimea-related sanctions should be in place until Russia returns control of the peninsula to Ukraine.

We would like to thank the OSCE for their contribution and constant work to bring back peace into Ukraine.

Chairing the FSC for the first time in more than 20 years was an invaluable experience and honour for my country. Let me conclude by thanking all parties who assisted us during this journey.

Thank you!