Mr. Chairperson,

The Delegation of Ukraine warmly welcomes President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Pia Kauma to the Permanent Council. Let me also express congratulations on the recent election to this responsible position.

We appreciate today’s opportunity to exchange views with the Parliamentary Assembly on how to ensure the respect for the OSCE principles and commitments, starting from the Helsinki Final Act.

President Kauma,

The Delegation of Ukraine is grateful to you for the strong statement in support of Ukraine against the backdrop of the ongoing russia’s war of aggression.

Indeed, as we meet today, the OSCE participating State – the russian federation, continues to pose the biggest ever threat to security in the area of responsibility of our Organization. 

We note today intensified missiles and Shahed-drones attacks on densely populated residential areas of Ukraine, war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocidal atrocities and acts of terror, ecocide, nuclear and food-security blackmailing, imposition by the current russian regime of its neo-Nazi ideology – ruscism. The complete list of russia’s crimes is much longer. 

Madam President, 

The criminal pattern of russia’s regime requires concrete and resolute actions in order to find a long-term solution to the russian crisis in the OSCE and beyond.

As you well know, since 2014, when russia launched aggression against my country, the OSCE PA, on political level, has been demonstrating unwavering support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. We appreciate very much this support.  

After russia waged its all-out war of aggression against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the Assembly in its Birmingham and Vancouver Declarations was also loud and clear, stressing that russia’s actions constitute a gross violation of the fundamentals of international law, including a severe breach of the OSCE’s commitments and principles, the Charter of the United Nations, and the Geneva Conventions, and thus pose a great threat to the civilian population and infrastructure of Ukraine and jeopardize the security architecture of Europe and the whole OSCE region.

As one of the outcomes of the OSCE PA Annual Session in Vancouver we also welcome the establishment of the Ad Hoc Committee to support the Parliament of Ukraine in face of the to the russian federation’s full-scale invasion.

President Kauma,

Ukraine counts on Assembly’s official reaction with resolute condemnation of the attempts of the russian federation and its occupation administrations to organize and hold illegal elections in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine on 10 September 2023.  

The preparation and conduct of such so-called “elections” are illegal as russia’s actions grossly violate the norms and principles of international law, OSCE commitments and national legislation of Ukraine. Their results will be null and void, and won't have any legal consequences whatsoever.

Distinguished colleagues, 

The OSCE’s meaningful response to this war should remain central to the Assembly’s actions.

We view as a top priority for the civilized world to put an end to russia’s impunity and ensure accountability.

Ukraine reiterates the need to further promote the creation of a special international tribunal to prosecute the crime of aggression against Ukraine, and we expect the Assembly to enhance its support for this initiative.

We also call on the OSCE PA to facilitate the tracing and return of all forcibly deported Ukrainian citizens, especially children, in flagrant breach of international law. Moreover, thousands of civilian hostages russia illegally detains must be immediately released and their rights and freedoms duly protected.

Madam President,

In 2014, russia brought the war to the peaceful territory of Ukraine with the illegal occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. The liberation of Crimea remains crucial for ending the war, restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and achieving peace and stability in the entire region. 

I take this opportunity to reiterate invitation for you to participate in the Second Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform co-hosted by Ukraine and the Czech Republic in Prague on 24 October 2023.

The Assembly’s contribution is of great importance for our joint efforts aimed at restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and the rules-based international order.

Let me conclude by reiterating that Ukraine stands ready to further support the OSCE PA endeavors aimed at achieving peace and security in Europe based on the OSCE principles and commitments, enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act.

I wish you, President Kauma, every success in your endeavors.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.