Russia claims that it wants peace. Peace is in its gift: UK statement to the OSCE
At the OSCE Forum for Security Cooperation (FSC), Ambassador Neil Holland calls on Russia to end its war, withdraw all its forces from all of Ukraine and to re-engage in dialogue and risk-reduction.
Thank you, Mr Chair, dear Mario. I want to start by thanking you and your team for your stewardship of this Forum over the past trimester and for ensuring that this Forum has remained relevant and able to fulfil its mandate.聽聽聽
We fully support your efforts to keep this Forum focused on Russia鈥檚 unprovoked, full-scale and illegal invasion of Ukraine.聽The invasion is in its third year and continues to violate the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act鈥檚 core principles, including those on sovereignty, territorial integrity and the non-use of force.聽Under your stewardship, we have shown that these principles and this Forum continue to matter and that we will keep on defending both.聽
Mr Chair, we welcomed the focus of your Security Dialogues on different aspect of the war on Ukraine, particularly Humanitarian Mine Action and Women, Peace, and Security.聽It remains essential that we continue to champion women鈥檚 full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation in political and peace processes.聽
Since 24 February 2022, the Ukrainian people have continued to defend their homeland.聽As my Prime Minister said this month, we will support Ukraine with whatever it takes, for as long as it takes to uphold our shared values and our shared security.聽聽
Mr Chair, Russia鈥檚 invasion of another participating State has undermined the principles of this organisation and of international humanitarian law.聽Perhaps that is why Russia continues to do everything it can to avoid a discussion on these issues in this Forum.聽For a third trimester in a row, Russia blocked consensus on holding a formal FSC Security Dialogue.聽It has blocked standard sessions of the Forum too, while demanding exceptional treatment.聽Yet, it has been unable to articulate any issues with the mandated Agenda, let alone offer an alternative.聽聽聽
The Rules of Procedure remain clear.聽Under these, the Chair is mandated to 鈥榚nsure the good order and smooth running of meetings鈥�.聽The Rules remain clear that it is the Chair鈥檚 prerogative to set the agenda.聽And to select and invite guest speakers.聽聽聽
There remains another path.聽Russia claims that it wants peace.聽Peace is in its gift. If that wish for peace is genuine, it can end this war and withdraw all of its forces to outside of Ukraine鈥檚 internationally recognised borders.聽It should do this. Russia claims that it is serious about dialogue and risk reduction.聽If that is true, it must re-engage with an FSC that meets, as mandated, weekly.聽
I wish to conclude by thanking Cyprus as it leaves the FSC Troika, and to welcome Spain.聽The incoming Chair, Denmark, can count on the UK鈥檚 full and continued support next trimester 鈥� including in its prerogative as FSC Chair.聽Thank you.