Déclaration du Royaume-Uni à l'OSCE : Les tirs de missiles de la Russie sur des civils ukrainiens pendant les fêtes de Pâques reflètent sa position à l'égard de la paix

Thank you, Mister Chair. The United Kingdom appreciates Finland for assembling this Special Permanent Council. It was just 16 days ago that you were obligated to convene an extraordinary meeting of the Council after a Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rih resulted in the deaths of 20 individuals, including nine children. This incident marked the highest number of children lost in a single attack since Russia commenced its full-scale invasion, as reported by the UN.

Last week coincided with a significant religious celebration, bringing communities worldwide together in a spirit of peace and goodwill. However, while Christians globally were celebrating the onset of Holy Week, a Russian ballistic missile hit the heart of Sumy. This assault killed 34 people, including two children, and injured another 117, with some victims en route to church for a Palm Sunday service.

On Good Friday, another Russian ballistic missile targeted Kharkiv, employing a cluster munition, resulting in one death and at least 60 injuries. On the same day, a drone attack on Sumy claimed another civilian life and damaged a bakery that was preparing traditional Easter ‘paska’ bread.

Mister Chair, our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this heartbreaking time.

Russia’s reaction to the extensive condemnation from this Council and the UN after their assault on Sumy involved reverting to their usual tactic of disinformation and distortion to rationalize the indefensible. We can anticipate similar maneuvers in this instance.

Through these heinous assaults, Russia has demonstrated that its cruelty knows no limits and that it is not genuinely committed to peace. President Putin’s so-called “Easter truce” was merely a diversion, repeatedly breached by his own forces. Just a day later – on Easter Monday – another five civilians reportedly perished due to Russian assaults, exposing the Kremlin’s overtly cynical efforts to misrepresent themselves as the peacemakers. Similar acts of aggression have persisted since, including yesterday’s attack on Kyiv, which reportedly resulted in nine civilian deaths and 70 injuries.

If Russia were earnest about peace, it would agree to an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire, as Ukraine did over 40 days ago. If it were truly committed to peace, it would cease its pointless attacks on civilians. If it were serious about peace, it would uphold the commitments it has made.

Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine serves as a stark reminder that President Putin has not relinquished his objective of subjugating Ukraine. For this reason, the UK, in collaboration with our partners and allies, will persist in providing Ukraine with the military support necessary to protect its citizens. Furthermore, we are prepared to impose additional pressure on Russia to obstruct its capacity to conduct this war of aggression.

Thank you, Mister Chair.