Thank you, Mr Chair. We are approaching 1000 days of Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The costs for Ukraine have been immense, and we will continue to hold Russia accountable against its OSCE commitments for its actions. But President Putin, who chose to start this war, should also be held accountable for the cost of his war to Russia and the Russian people.
For example, the cost to Russia’s international credibility, after it so clearly violated its commitments under the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and the Geneva Conventions. Undermining fundamental commitments, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the non-use of force – principles which we all rely on for our safety and security.
But Mr Chair, the human cost of this war is extraordinary and appalling. Almost 12,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed as a direct result of Russian aggression and 6.2m Ukrainians forced to leave their country as refugees. Each day President Putin continues with his war of choice, more lives are lost – including those of his own people. October 2024 saw the highest number of Russian casualties since the full-scale invasion began. Nearly 42,000 losses were reported, taking the total number of Russian casualties since the war began to approximately 700,000. Hundreds of thousands killed and seriously wounded, not out of necessity, but because of the Russian President’s imperial ambitions. Tragically, human lives are a commodity in which the Russian leadership appears to place little value.
We know that the human rights situation within Russia is dire. Last month the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, Mariana Katzarova published a report on the Russian State’s complicity in and encouragement of widespread and systematic torture and ill-treatment, including against the brave Russians who dare to speak out against the invasion. But also among the victims mentioned in this report are Russia’s own mobilised men and regular servicemen, some for refusing to obey orders to fight against Ukraine. Hundreds are reportedly detained in unofficial detention centres near the front lines. This goes against the OSCE’s Code of Conduct, which compels States to abide by international law, including the Geneva Conventions.
And how are these soldiers seen by Russia’s elite? Well, a member of President Putin’s ruling party in the State Duma, Mr. Alexander Borodai, boasted that Russian authorities were sending troops with “no social value” to fight in Ukraine. According to Mr Borodai, they are seen as “expendable” or “spare people”.
Perhaps having exhausted these “spare people”, Russia’s leadership is now turning to Pyongyang to bolster its combat capability. Not only does this latest move recklessly endanger security in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific, it is a stark reminder of Russia’s increasing reliance on third-country support. At last week’s joint meeting of this Forum and the Permanent Council, participating States and Partners for Cooperation made clear their concern at the growing military relationship between Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which stands in violation of several UN Security Council Resolutions. Regrettably, Russia chose not to engage seriously and erroneously claimed that the topic was outside the OSCE’s remit. Preventing unintended escalation or misunderstandings, including from unusual military activity within the OSCE’s Zone of Application, is why the OSCE was built. Russia owes participating States transparency on why these troops are there and with what intent. Enhancing transparency and risk reduction is in our collective security interests.
Thank you, Mr Chair.
