OSCE Permanent Council No. 1566 - EU Statement on the Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine

OSCE Permanent Council No. 1566 - EU Statement on the Russian Federation's ongoing aggression against Ukraine

OSCE Permanent Council No. 1566

Vienna, 28 May 2026

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

Earlier this week, we convened in this very room to condemn in the strongest terms Russia's intensified drone and missile strikes across Ukraine-including the use of the so-called Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear payloads. Russia's deployment of its full arsenal-missiles, drones, and long-range systems-demonstrates a blatant disregard for human life and international law. Russia has continuously attacked multiple Ukrainian regions throughout the week. Over 100 civilians were injured, with 4 confirmed fatalities. Residential areas, schools, commercial centres, museums and cultural institutions, as well as water supply infrastructure suffered extensive damage. We categorically condemn these attacks and demand Russia to cease its aggression and withdraw all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine.

Russia has again threatened diplomats and foreigners, urging them to leave Kyiv. We remain united in front of Russia's aggression and escalating threats. Our solidarity with Ukraine and support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders remain unwavering.

The EU remains steadfast in its comprehensive support for Ukraine, in close coordination with partners and allies. The EU and its Member States stand ready to contribute to robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine, based on their respective competences and capabilities and in line with international law.

We reaffirm our support for all efforts to secure a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine, firmly anchored in international law, the principles of the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act. We urge Russia to demonstrate genuine commitment to peace by agreeing to an unconditional, immediate ceasefire. We will intensify our pressure by significantly increasing sanctions on Russia and its enablers so that Russia engages without delay in meaningful negotiations and ends its war of aggression.

Ensuring accountability for war crimes and the other most serious crimes committed in connection with Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine remains a key prerequisite for a just and lasting peace. ODIHR with its monitoring activities and the OSCE Human Dimension Mechanisms provide important contributions to that end. The OSCE therefore plays and will continue to play a role in view of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Mr Chair,

On International Missing Children's Day, we reiterate our deep concern for the children affected by Russia's war of aggression. Since February 2022, according to Ukrainian estimates, 20,570 Ukrainian children have been forcibly transferred or deported-deprived of their identity, language, and legal status. According to the UN Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine and the 2023 OSCE Moscow Mechanism mission, child deportation and forcible transfer amount to grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention and war crimes. The UN Commission of Inquiry further concluded that they may also constitute crimes against humanity. While we welcome recent reunifications with the support of Save Ukraine, we demand the immediate and safe return to Ukraine of all deported children. We commend the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine, particularly the opening of two new children's spaces in Lviv on 15 May, which will provide critical psychosocial support to war-affected children and their families.

Far too many individuals remain unlawfully detained in Russia or in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including the three OSCE staff members-Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov, and Dmytro Shabanov. We reiterate our call for their immediate and unconditional release.

Mr Chair,

We urge all countries to immediately cease any assistance to Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine, whether direct or indirect, and notably through the provision of dual-use goods and components. In particular, we strongly condemn the deployment of the DPRK's military forces in the war against Ukraine as well as the continued military support provided by Iran, Belarus and the DPRK, among others.

Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, and Ukraine align themselves with this statement.