Ambassador Holland welcomed the US-brokered ceasefire and
Ukraine's efforts to pursue peace, condemns Russia's mass attack
on Kyiv and highlighted how Russia's actions have undermined
cooperative security, OSCE mechanisms and trust.
"Thank you, Mr Chair.
The United Kingdom welcomes the US-brokered ceasefire of 9–11
May. We note Ukraine's offer to extend the ceasefire on
long-range strikes beyond 11 May. This offer fits squarely with
Ukraine's long-standing efforts to create a more conducive
environment for negotiations on a just and lasting peace.
Regrettably, Russia wasted no time in restarting long-range
strikes – once again choosing the path of destruction over the
path of peace.
We saw the consequences of this overnight, with Russia launching
over 600 drones and nearly 60 missiles, predominantly at Kyiv. A
residential building, a school and a veterinary clinic were
damaged. We condemn these barbaric attacks.
Mr Chair, children have been among the most gravely affected by
Russia's decision to choose war. Thousands of Ukrainian children
have been forcibly transferred or deported, subjected to
indoctrination, and, in some cases, exposed to militarisation.
That is why the United Kingdom has imposed a package of targeted
sanctions against individuals and entities involved in the forced
deportation, indoctrination and militarisation of Ukrainian
children. These measures form part of a coordinated international
response alongside our partners, including the UK's participation
at the High‑Level meeting of the International Coalition for the
Return of Ukrainian Children in Brussels, reaffirming our
commitment to accountability and to the safe return of children
to their families and communities. We will, of course, return to
this subject later in our meeting.
Mr Chair, this Council exists because participating States once
shared a clear vision of security in Europe. The Helsinki Final
Act spoke of security built “through cooperation” rather than
confrontation, and the Charter of Paris committed us to a Europe
“whole, free and at peace”. The OSCE was designed to translate
that vision into practical tools: dialogue, transparency,
restraint, and verification.
Russia's actions over many years have steadily eroded that model.
The continued presence of Russian forces in Moldova and Georgia
against the host countries' will, the illegal attempted
annexation of Crimea, and Russia's full-scale war of aggression
against Ukraine have all struck at the foundations of cooperative
security. Alongside this, Russia has hollowed out the OSCE's
instruments: obstructing confidence- and security-building
measures, disregarding requests under the Vienna Document, and
contributing to the wider erosion of the European arms control
architecture.
The impact is visible in this very room. Weekly Permanent Council
meetings are confrontational rather than problem-solving.
Agreed OSCE mechanisms for military transparency and risk
reduction are weakened or unused. Trust has been replaced by
accusation, and predictability has been replaced by escalation.
Russia's treatment of this Organisation has also unfortunately
extended to its personnel. We condemn the continued detention of
our three colleagues: Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov, and Dmytro
Shabanov. This is emblematic of a broader pattern: obstruction of
independent scrutiny and disregard for the spirit of commitments
undertaken by consensus.
Mr Chair, none of this was inevitable. The OSCE does not require
reinvention; it requires recommitment. A return to the founding
purpose of this organisation would mean engaging seriously with
OSCE mechanisms, restoring transparency and restraint, respecting
agreed rules, and ending actions that fundamentally contradict
them.
Above all, it would require Russia to end its illegal war of
aggression and to withdraw its forces from Ukrainian, Moldovan
and Georgian territory. We urge Russia to do this. Above
all, of course, because it is the right thing to do. But also
because it is the only way to change the status of this
organisation from a theatre for confrontation, which is a direct
consequence of Russia's actions, to something more recognisable
to all of its founding fathers.
Thank you."
