VIENNA, 24 February 2022 – Following reports of military action in Ukraine by the Russian armed forces, the elected leadership of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly – the President, Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, Committee Officers, and Secretary General – issued today the following statement:
“The Bureau of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly condemns in the strongest terms the advancement of Russian military in the territory of Ukraine. This constitutes an armed aggression in clear and gross violation of the most basic norms of international law as well as OSCE principles and commitments. We remind the Russian Federation that it has committed itself to upholding the principles enshrined in the 1975 Helsinki Final Act, which include respect for sovereignty, refraining from the threat or use of force, inviolability of frontiers, territorial integrity of States, peaceful settlement of disputes, and fulfilment in good faith of obligations under international law. The current military operation in Ukraine violates all of those principles. The incursion also runs counter to commitments under the 1990 OSCE Paris Charter and the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances signed at the 1994 OSCE Summit, as well as the UN Charter.
The news so far is alarming, and as the situation is quickly evolving we will continue to closely monitor events. Our thoughts are with the civilians who bear the brunt of military conflict and must be fully protected. With these civilians in mind, we urge Russia to end its military activity and pursue the path of diplomatic dialogue. The OSCE PA will continue to support all necessary mediation efforts.”
Bureau Members expressed their full support for the statements and actions taken by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office and the OSCE Secretary General, as well as the important work of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is gathering this week for a hybrid Winter Meeting, with a plenary session today featuring an open debate on the theme Security Guarantees and the Indivisibility of Security in Europe: Role of the OSCE.
