1431st Meeting of the Permanent Council
The Russian Federation's ongoing aggression against Ukraine
6 July 2023
Statement by H.E Ambassador Ian Biggs
Ambassador Djundev, Excellencies, colleagues,
It is my honour to be here today representing Australia – for the first time – at this meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council.
This week marks 500 days since Russia’s illegal and immoral full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
500 days of brutality and aggression. 500 days of needless loss and suffering for the people of Ukraine.
We unequivocally condemn Russia’s invasion. It is an attack on the fundamental principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty and a gross violation of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations.
We call on Russia to end its war and to withdraw unconditionally from Ukraine’s territory.
Australia has stood resolutely with Ukraine each and every day of Russia’s war of aggression.
That is why we are providing a further 110 million Australian dollars in assistance to Ukraine.
This assistance package responds to Ukraine’s request for vehicles and ammunition, and will make a tangible difference on the battlefield.
The package also includes 10 million Australian dollars to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to help provide shelter, health services, clean water and sanitation to the people of Ukraine affected by this brutal war.
Russia’s invasion renders stark the context of Australia’s commitment to a world in which no country dominates, and no country is dominated.
We call for a world which respects and preserves the sovereignty of all nations – large and small.
This is particularly important in our region, the Indo-Pacific.
Australia values the opportunity to engage with the OSCE through the Asian Partners mechanism. This is a vital platform for sharing our perspectives and experiences from the Indo-Pacific.
And to identify ways we can work together with OSCE Participating States to achieve our shared vision of an open, peaceful, stable and rules-based international order.
We are looking forward to hosting, with Poland, the Asian Partners for Co‑operation Group Conference here at the Hofburg on 17 and 18 July.
This will be an important opportunity to address common challenges in our changing global security environment, including on cyber security, climate change, and civil society, democracy and human rights.
Discussing best practices and lessons learned on security challenges shared by the OSCE area and the Indo-Pacific region is an important element of interregional cooperation, and we look forward to engaging with Participating States and Partners for Co-operation on these critical issues at the conference.
Chair, every single day of Russia’s aggression is another day of devastation for Ukraine.
Russia has a responsibility to act consistently with OSCE principles and should immediately withdraw from Ukraine’s territory and comply with its obligations under international law.
We also call on the Belarusian government to cease its strategic and practical support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A credible and lasting peace must be based on the sovereignty of Ukraine, including the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, and ensure accountability for Russia’s commission of serious international crimes in Ukraine.
Australia will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
Thank you.