1554th (Reinforced) Meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council
Statement by Mr Denis Cairney, Australia’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other International Organisations in Vienna
24 February 2026
Chair, Secretary‑General, Ministers, Excellencies,
As we mark four years since Russia’s illegal and immoral full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, Australia reaffirms our steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraine.
Russia’s invasion is a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter,
by a permanent member of the UN Security Council. It strikes at the foundations of the international rules‑based order and the core principles that underpin this Organisation.
Australia will continue to stand with Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is why Australia continues to provide meaningful assistance, totalling more than A$1.7 billion in important military, economic, humanitarian and energy support.
With partners, Australia is focused on imposing costs on Russia and those directly supporting its invasion. Australia today announced our single largest sanctions package since the invasion began. These listings target the energy, transportation, finance and banking, defence, aeronautical, science and technology sectors. They are designed to squeeze Russian revenues and further constrain its ability to continue its illegal and brutal invasion. With this announcement, Australia has now imposed sanctions on over 1800 individuals, entities and shadow fleet vessels.
Ukraine continues to face its harshest winter since the full-scale invasion began, with Russia launching relentless attacks on its critical energy infrastructure. These attacks are part of a strategy to break the resolve of the Ukrainian people. They will not succeed.
On 23 January 2026, Australia also announced a further A$10 million contribution to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, bringing our total support to the Fund to A$40 million. This contribution will help Ukraine repair damaged energy infrastructure and ensure electricity, heating and other essential services remain in operation across the country.
Australians continue to admire the extraordinary courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people – fighting on the frontline to defend their home, working in hospitals, school and power plants, and sheltering in metro stations and buildings shelled by Russian bombs.
Our Prime Minister has been clear that this is a struggle for the international rule of law. Australia and Ukraine will continue to stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder because we believe all countries are safer and more prosperous when international rules are clear, mutually agreed and consistently followed, and not able to be rewritten through force or coercion.
Like many in this room, Australia supports all genuine efforts to bring an end to Russia’s illegal war. A just and enduring peace must uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, ensure Russia cannot renew its aggression against its neighbours, and reflect the fundamental principle that Ukraine’s future must only be determined by Ukraine.
Australia calls on all Participating States and Partners to continue rejecting Russia’s illegal invasion and to support a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
Thank you.