Russia鈥檚 unprovoked, illegal war is an attack on Ukraine, a sovereign, democratic state and an attack on the OSCE's founding principles: UK statement to the OSCE
Ambassador Neil Holland welcomes the visit of OSCE Chair in Office, Foreign Minister Borg, to Ukraine and condemns Russia鈥檚 aggression which is in complete violation of international law.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Firstly, I would like to welcome the visit of our Chair in Office, Foreign Minister Borg, to Ukraine where the Minister underlined his support for Ukraine. We note President Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Kuleba鈥檚 expressions of support for OSCE work, in particular on the return of Ukrainian children and the role of participating States in documenting Russia鈥檚 egregious actions against Ukraine. 皇冠体育app UK is fully committed in supporting you to take forward these priorities.
Last week, the Russian Federation attempted to justify Russia鈥檚 illegal invasion of Ukraine by referencing Article 51 of the UN Charter. This Article states, quote:
鈥楴othing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security.鈥�
皇冠体育app operative clause here is 鈥榠f an armed attack occurs against a member of the United Nations鈥�.聽 皇冠体育app only armed attack that took place in February 2022 was by Russia on Ukraine on 24 February.聽 So, no. Russia cannot claim that its so-called 鈥楽pecial Military Operation鈥� is an exercise of the right of self-defence, in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter. On the contrary. It is Russia鈥檚 actions which comprise egregious violations of international law, including the prohibition on the use of force at Article 2(4) of the UN Charter. And to pretend otherwise is disinformation. 聽
Russia鈥檚 unprovoked, illegal war is, of course, far more than an attack on Ukraine. It is also an attack on the founding principles of this organisation. 皇冠体育appse are the pillars on which European security has been built and they are principles to which all of us in this room willingly agreed. We all therefore have a duty to defend these principles. And the best way that Russia can do that right now is to withdraw from the sovereign territory of Ukraine and come back into line with the Helsinki Final Act and the UN Charter.
Madam Chair, it is Russia that started this war, and it is Russia that can choose to end this war. Thank you.