UK and others underline that Russia's malicious activities in the
OSCE region, which aim to undermine support for Ukraine, will not
work.
"I have the honour to make this statement on behalf of the
following 42 participating States: Albania, Austria, Andorra,
Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Germany, Georgia, Greece, Latvia, Liechtenstein,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North
Macedonia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,
San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the
United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
Mr. Chair, Russia's unprovoked, unjustifiable war of aggression
against Ukraine has shown the Kremlin's contempt for the
fundamental norms of the international rules-based order,
including the UN Charter and the principles of the Helsinki Final
Act. Russia's aggressive behaviour remains the main threat to
comprehensive security and cooperation in the OSCE area and with
dangerous effects beyond. We reiterate our firm support for the
independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine
within its internationally recognised borders.
In the midst of its war of aggression against Ukraine, the
Russian Federation conducts hostile activities
aimed at fostering distrust in our democratic institutions,
undermining free and fair elections, negatively affecting
the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms, degrading
our critical infrastructure, subverting democratic processes,
undermining international structures, targeting government
entities, exacerbating polarization within societies and
destabilizing societal cohesion across the OSCE
region.
Russia applies conventional, cyber and hybrid threats towards its
neighbours and other OSCE participating States. Russia is using
sabotage operations and espionage, acts of violence,
assassination attempts, disinformation campaigns, information
manipulation and interference, malicious cyber activities, air
space violations, GPS jamming against civil aviation, political
subversion, instrumentalization of irregular migration, economic
coercion and other hybrid operations to achieve its geopolitical
goals.
Acting under the guise of a state-media organization, Russia also
conducts hostile covert information operations, which are further
amplified through social media, including Russia's diplomatic
representations. These covert information operations are
targeting countries around the world, including in Europe,
Africa, Asia and the Americas.
Russia's malign activity is aimed at challenging the rules-based
international order, justifying Russia's war of aggression
against Ukraine, deflecting responsibility for the global
consequences of its war of aggression, and undermining
international solidarity in support for Ukraine and its rightful
self-defence.
We strongly condemn such malicious activities conducted by the
Russian Federation in the OSCE area and beyond. This continuous
pattern of irresponsible behaviour runs counter to the principles
of the Helsinki Final Act and OSCE commitments agreed by all
participating states, including the Russian Federation.
We underline that Russia's attempts to undermine support to
Ukraine will not succeed. Instead, they are only
strengthening our resolve and our unwavering commitment to
Ukraine.
Russia must respect the OSCE principles and commitments, end its
illegal war, withdraw all its forces from Ukraine within its
internationally recognised borders, and stop its malign
activities towards other OSCE participating States and OSCE
Partners for Cooperation.
Protecting our open societies, our shared values and our
democratic principles is the top priority for our governments. We
remain committed to holding to account those responsible for
international crimes and supporting those affected by their
violations and abuses, including the people of Ukraine but also
those in other countries affected by Russia's malign activities.
We are determined to prevent, deter and respond to Russia's
malicious behaviour and destabilising activities. We will
continue to strengthen our resilience, including by exposing the
tactics, techniques and procedures of Russia's malign activities
and will continue to develop our individual and collective
capacity to counter hybrid threats. We believe that the OSCE
should contribute to enhancing our common resilience and
awareness.
We will continue to provide all relevant support to Ukraine and
other OSCE participating States to strengthen their resilience in
the face of destabilising activities by Russia and to erode
Russia's capacity to conduct covert influence operations. It is
in our common interest to change Russia's aggressive behaviour. I
thank you."
