OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation N°1084 Vienna, 17 July 2024

1.Mr Chair, last week's events unfortunately proved again why we have to address Russia's war of aggression here every week, including Russia's attacks on civilian infrastructure with an atrocious attack on the Okhmatdyt children's hospital. More than 40 people were killed, and over 100 were wounded in attacks across Kyiv, which hit another hospital and a residential building. Russian attacks on civilian targets across Ukraine continued throughout the week, including deliberate shelling of a residential building in Kharkiv which killed five civilians, with one missile attack occurring after emergency services had arrived at the scene of an earlier attack. This appalling pattern has been seen again and again, and this is even without speaking of the countless unnecessary casualties on the battlefield.
2.It shows once again Russia's utter disrespect for international humanitarian law and its own commitments to the OSCE's core principles. The acting UN Emergency Relief Coordinator noted that the recent incidents were part of a 'deeply concerning pattern of systematic attacks' harming healthcare and other civilian infrastructure across Ukraine. We will not tire of addressing these matters here and we will continue supporting Ukraine in its rightful self-defence against the aggressor.
3.The EU and its Member States strongly condemn last week's 'sentencing' of OSCE official Vadym Golda to 14 years in prison by Russia as a result of so-called "legal proceedings" and call for the immediate release of all three OSCE officials in arbitrary Russian detention.
4.As set out in the EU Strategic Agenda 2024-2029, 'the full-scale invasion of Ukraine is also an attack on a free and democratic Europe. The European Union will stand by Ukraine as it fights to retain its independence and sovereignty and regain its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. We will intensify our work to promote security, stability, peace and prosperity in our neighbourhood and beyond.'

5.The EU and its Member States have taken decisive steps to strengthen the Union's defence readiness and capacity, including increased defence spending. We will improve conditions for scaling up the European defence industry by creating a better integrated European defence market and by promoting joint procurement.
6.Overall assistance to Ukraine and its people by the EU and its Member States to date amounts to almost EUR 108 billion, including EUR 39 billion of military support. These measures include the provision of lethal and non-lethal military equipment and supplies, such as personal protective equipment, first aid kits, fuel, ammunition and missiles. The newly established Ukraine Assistance Fund provides an additional EUR 5 billion for 2024 to ensure further military assistance and training, with possible annual increases until 2027, based on Ukrainian needs.
7.The provision of training to the security and defence forces of Ukraine will continue, including via the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM). The future training targets will be continuously adjusted in terms of numbers and skills, according to needs expressed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and in coordination with partners. The European Union's training efforts will also continue to contribute to the long-term reform of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Ukraine's security and defence sector, including in the area of governance and professional military education.
8.The sanctions adopted by the EU in the latest 14th package remain a part of our efforts to curb Russia's ability to wage its war of aggression. They include Russian military and defence industry companies, companies providing dual-use technologies used on the battlefield, and companies transporting weapons and military personnel towards the war zone. Further restrictive measures target Belarus in view of its involvement in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
9.Mr Chair, the EU and its Member States reiterate that Russia must immediately stop its unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal war of aggression, put an end to this unbearable suffering and devastation, and completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. 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. We 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 core principles and commitments.

Thank you.
The Candidate Countries NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, ALBANIA*, UKRAINE, the REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA*, and GEORGIA, and the EFTA countries ICELAND, LIECHTENSTEIN and NORWAY, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.
* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.