OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Adopts Urgent Resolution on Russia’s Aggression

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine welcomes the adoption by the summer session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA) on 6 July of an urgent resolution “On the destabilising increase of Russia’s military presence near Ukraine, in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol, Ukraine, the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.” This resolution was initiated by the Permanent Delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the OSCE PA.

“The adoption of this resolution reaffirmed the unity of the international community in condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Russia’s increased military presence poses a threat to European security,” the diplomats said.

The OSCE PA called on the Russian Federation to end the illegal occupation of Crimea; withdraw its troops, weapons, and military equipment from the occupied peninsula; and stop constant conscription campaigns. In addition, the Assembly urged Russia to lift all restrictions on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, and the Kerch Strait.

Commenting on the adoption of the document, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba said, “This is an important contribution to international efforts to overcome the European security crisis caused by Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine. The document promotes the implementation of previous resolutions of the Assembly and states that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine grossly violates the fundamental principles of the OSCE.”

Natalia Tolub