Mr Chairperson, Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I thank OSCE Chairperson, Minister Osmani, for convening this special reinforced meeting of the Permanent Council. 

I am thankful to all participating states who keep standing with Ukraine, our people and our common freedom.

Over the past year, russia has brought to my homeland and to Europe what we believed would never repeat again.

Indiscriminate shelling and obliterated cities; filtration camps and torture chambers; forced deportation and assimilation of children; attempts to erase Ukraine’s identity and commit genocide.

This is the most brutal attack on our common principles stemming from the Helsinki Final Act in the entire history of the OSCE. 

However, over the past year we have accomplished what on February 23, 2022, was considered a mission impossible.

Ukraine stands strong against all odds. Nearly half of newly occupied territories are liberated. Sanction policy gets up steam. Europe’s energy dependence on russia is moving to zero. Many taboos on military deliveries have been lifted. We are united to defend our principles as never before.

And what is most important is that we've got to know how to win. With resolve, decisiveness and integrity. This must be the compass in our fight ahead.

 

Dear colleagues, 

A year ago I urged the world to provide Ukraine with weapons, weapons and weapons. It was clear already then that aggressors don’t stop, they must be stopped. Thanks to the courage of the Ukrainian people and your help we have crushed russia’s initial plans. But the fight is not over yet.

Whatever moscow says about its alleged readiness for negotiations, they are still focused on attacking, destroying, and killing. Therefore today, I urge partners to provide more, better, and faster aid, including combat aircraft, long-range missiles, air defence systems, armoured vehicles and ammunition.

We need this to protect our people, restore our territorial integrity and safeguard OSCE principles.

The Crimea 2014 lesson teaches us: when aggression is not stopped it becomes larger in scale. When the aggressor is not punished, he becomes more blood-thirsty. 

There is no place for fake neutrality when innocent people are being killed.

Because when one may be confronted with yet another taboo, let’s remember that there is only one red line. This red line is human life.

russia has crossed this line too many times. And it did so only because of the feeling of total impunity. The cure for that is justice and accountability. That's why the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression is so crucial.

Dear colleagues, 

The good news is that the russian federation is isolated. But russia is isolating the OSCE as well.

Our current decisions will shape Europe’s future for decades. Together we can free the OSCE from russia’s malign influence. And together we can free Europe from “grey zones” of impunity and insecurity.  

As President Zelenskyy said at the Munich Security Conference, I quote: “There is no alternative to Ukrainian victory. There is no alternative to Ukraine in the EU. There is no alternative to Ukraine in NATO. There is no alternative to our unity”. End of quote.

This will be a turning point for the entire OSCE region. 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.

Ten months ago, I said that russia’s participation in the OSCE is a threat to security and cooperation in Europe, and if the OSCE lacks appropriate suspension mechanisms, then procedures need to be set up in order to get them out of the organisation. Since then, russian aggression has only grown stronger. And things in the OSCE are getting even worse.   

Today in different parts of the globe – be it New York or Vienna – we continue to consolidate the coalition in defence of our common rules.   

Just yesterday we achieved another tangible result with the adoption of the UN GA resolution on principles for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. I am grateful to all those who made this decision possible.

This is an important step to implement the 10-point Peace Formula proposed by President Zelenskyy. The work continues. And I invite the OSCE to make its contribution to implementing the Peace Formula.

With each and every such decision we are getting stronger.

With each and every such action we are bringing the victory closer.

With each and every such step we are bringing the day of peace closer.

And with the strength of people’s will, Ukraine will prevail.

I thank you.