OSCE Permanent Council No.1488 Vienna, 19 September 2024

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OSCE Permanent Council No.1488 Vienna, 19 September 2024

19.09.2024 Press and information team of the Delegation to UN and OSCE in Vienna

EU Statement on the Russian Federation's ongoing aggression against Ukraine

1. Once again, the EU condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia's unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, which is a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, and OSCE core principles and commitments. There can be no impunity for war crimes, crimes against humanity and other crimes committed in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, including the crime of aggression. All those responsible must and will be held accountable.
2. The EU remains steadfast in our support for Ukraine and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to providing continued multifaceted support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed, based on Ukraine's urgent needs.
3. Through its defensive operations to diminish Russia's capacity to wage its war of aggression, Ukraine is exercising its inherent right to self-defence, in full accordance with international law and as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter.
4. On the 6th of September, the OHCHR released its latest update on the protection of civilians in Ukraine, informing that over 1 000 civilians were killed or injured in August alone. In the first half of September, Russia used over 640 "Shahed" drones against Ukrainian cities and villages. Last week's shelling of an ICRC truck carrying humanitarian aid in the Donetsk region, killing three ICRC staff members and injuring others, as well as the airstrike in Kharkiv on 15 September, where a 12-storey residential building was hit, killing one person and injuring at least 40 people, including three children - again demonstrate Russia's blatant disregard for human lives. We also condemn the Russian attack on 12 September on a civilian ship in the Black Sea carrying Ukrainian grain, which was also an attack on global food security. We remind Russia that attacks directed against civilians and civilian objects, as well as indiscriminate attacks, are clear violations of international humanitarian law and constitute war crimes.
5. Russia's reckless behaviour is further manifested through a series of recent incidents involving drones violating the airspace of some EU Member States, including Latvia and Romania. Russia must immediately stop these dangerous and irresponsible acts, which we strongly condemn.
6. Madame Chair, on 11 September, at the fourth summit of the Crimea Platform, the President of the European Commission, Von der Leyen and the President of the European Council, Michel reiterated the EU's stance: Crimea is Ukraine. The EU condemns any futile attempts by Russia to forcibly and illegally integrate or annex parts of Ukraine's territory. Such attempts constitute a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, and all states have an obligation under international law to not recognise such annexations. Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk are also Ukraine.
7. In this vein, the EU strongly condemns the so-called "elections" held on Ukrainian territory as part of partial regional and local elections in Russia from 6-8 September. These actions constitute yet another violation of international law, the UN Charter and Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. The EU does not recognise these so-called "elections" or their results. They are null and void and cannot produce any legal effects whatsoever.
8. The EU remains deeply concerned about the fate of all Ukrainian children and other civiliansunlawfully transferred by Russia within the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine or unlawfully deported to Russia and Belarus. The European Union reiterates its urgent call on Russia and Belarus to immediately ensure their safe return to Ukraine. We will continue to demand the immediate release by Russia of all individuals unlawfully deprived of their liberty, including the three arbitrarily detained OSCE officials.
9. We recall the six arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court, including against President Putin for the war crime of the unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children. All State Parties to the Rome Statute are under the obligation to execute arrest warrants issued by the ICC.
10. The EU remains firm in its support for a just and sustainable peace in line with international law, including the UN Charter, with full respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. To achieve this, we urge the aggressor, Russia, to immediately stop its war of aggression, and to completely and unconditionally withdraw all its forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.
11. We also condemn the continued military support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine provided by Belarus, as well as Iran and the DPRK. The EU strongly condemns the recent transfer of Iranian-made ballistic missiles to Russia, which is a direct threat to European security and represents a substantive material escalation from the provision of Iranian UAVs and ammunition. We continue to urge all countries not to provide material or other support for Russia's war of aggression, which is a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, and the OSCE's core principles and commitments.