While Russia is isolated the international community is united: UK statement to the OSCE
Ambassador Neil Holland says that the UK and partners will stand alongside Ukraine to protect its future, as well as protecting the OSCE.
Thank you, Mr Chair.聽聽
Since Russia鈥檚 illegal and unjustified full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 the UK has pledged to use this forum to support our Ukrainian friends and colleagues and to hold Russia to account for its actions. Indeed, at last week鈥檚 Ministerial Council, my Foreign Secretary said, that this organisation plays a key role in doing both of these. So, each week, we call out Russia鈥檚 complete disregard for the OSCE鈥檚 founding principles, as shown through its assault on Ukrainian territorial integrity and Ukrainian life.聽聽
Russia claims to defend the consensus principle. And yet it is all but isolated in this forum (and others) on a regular and sustained basis. We have seen decision after decision subjected to attack through the need to find consensus. This is the abuse of a tool that was designed for use by participating States that shared a common wish to find solutions. That is clearly not the case now. 聽So, we have to conclude that this insistence on consensus - against the overwhelming weight of opinion on many different subjects is not actually a defence of the principle but actually a defence of obstructionism. 聽聽
Last week at the Ministerial Council we saw the latest example of this dynamic. In Skopje, there was a broad consensus across the community in condemning Russia鈥檚 actions and underlining unwavering support to Ukraine. This was not a terrible conspiracy by the so-called 鈥榗ollective west鈥�. 聽It was a simple and widely expressed disapproval of what Russia has done by invading its neighbour and upending its commitments to the Helsinki principles. 聽
皇冠体育app encouraging news is that the international community remains united behind Ukraine. On 23 February 2023, 141 UN members voted to demand that Russia withdraw its troops. 29 countries have now signed a Joint Declaration pledging to negotiate long-term security commitments with Ukraine, to help to sustain its ability to defend itself.聽聽
皇冠体育app UK is rolling out sanctions against Russia in lockstep with our partners. Alongside substantial packages of bilateral support for Ukraine, the international community has come together to provide humanitarian support to Ukraine through the international system response, coordinated by the UN, Red Cross movement and NGOs. This again underlines the unified response in support for Ukraine and brings Russia鈥檚 isolation into relief. 聽聽聽
皇冠体育app UK and the international community stand against Russia鈥檚 aggression. 皇冠体育app UK will continue to join the vast majority of states here in continuing to support Ukraine鈥檚 freedom and sovereignty. We will not be deterred or lose interest. Now is not the time to falter. Ukraine can and must win this war. 聽聽
Mr Chair, the UK will stand alongside Ukraine to protect its future. 皇冠体育app UK will also continue to protect the OSCE, standing alongside participating States and colleagues to ensure that the consensus principle is not abused. Thank you.