Russia must end its war and re-engage with the Forum for Security Co-operation: UK statement to the OSCE
Politico-Military Counsellor, Ankur Narayan, thanks Denmark as the incoming Chair for upholding the Forum's mandate of holding a weekly politico-military dialogue, including on risk reduction.
Thank you, Mr Chair, and to the Foreign Minister for setting out Denmark鈥檚 priorities for the Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) this Trimester.聽You can count on the UK鈥檚 full support, as you execute the mandate of this Forum at this important time for European Security.聽
As we return from the Summer break, the Ukrainian people have had no respite. Today marks 930 days of their ongoing defence of their homeland, from an invasion which continues to violate the UN Charter and to contravene the Helsinki Final Act鈥檚 core principles.聽Principles including those on sovereignty, territorial integrity and the non-use of force.聽聽聽
That is why each week, we have met in the Forum to support Ukraine and to hold Russia accountable. And that is why we welcome Denmark鈥檚 proposed FSC agenda topics, on the Code of Conduct, the Helsinki Decalogue and on Women, Peace & Security.聽These issues remain pertinent for our Euro-Atlantic region.聽聽
Mr Chair, the UK continues to support the Forum.聽Our Ministers mandated the Forum to hold a weekly politico-military dialogue, with tasks that include risk-reduction.聽They mandated the Chair to 鈥榚nsure the good order and smooth running of meetings鈥�.聽To set the agenda.聽And to select and invite guest speakers.聽We support the Chair鈥檚 prerogative to execute these tasks.聽
Unfortunately, at the closing session last Trimester, we had to condemn the Russian delegation 鈥� for a third Trimester in a row 鈥� for its attempts to undermine FSC meetings.聽 Russia did not join consensus not only the formal FSC Security Dialogues, but also the standard weekly FSC sessions.聽Russia demanded exceptional treatment, without any basis in the Rules of Procedure and without articulating any issues with the mandated Agenda.聽聽聽
As we said last time, there remains another path.聽Russia claims that it wants peace.聽 Peace is in its gift 鈥� by withdrawing all of its forces to outside of Ukraine鈥檚 internationally recognised borders.聽Russia claims that it is serious about dialogue and risk reduction.聽If that is true, it must re-engage seriously and professionally with an FSC that meets, as mandated by our Ministers, each week.聽聽聽
I wish to conclude by welcoming Spain to the FSC Troika, and to thank Cyprus for their work as they leave the Troika.聽And most importantly, I wish you, Mr Chair, and your able teams here in Vienna and in Copenhagen the best of luck this Trimester.聽You can count on the continued full support of the UK delegation.