The OSCE Forum for Security Cooperation marks one year of Russian war against Ukraine. Statement by Ambassador Grønbech-Jensen.
Forum for Security and Co-operation
Vienna, 22 February 2023
Statement as delivered by Ambassador Christian Grønbech-Jensen.
Mr. Chair
Denmark fully aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union. Allow me to add the following in my national capacity.
Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has brought war back to Europe on a scale and with a brutality, we had not imagined ever to see again.
With its war of choice, Russia has violated the principles, political agreements and concrete transparency measures that we have worked for in the OSCE in the past many years in these very rooms.
Since 24th February last year Russia has demonstrated its continuous disregard for the commitments we all made to ensure that wars of aggression and the changing of borders through death and destruction were things of the past. Russia has shown its disregard for the European security architecture and for the Forum for Security Co-operation as one of its guardians.
Mr. Chair
A few weeks ago, the Danish Prime Minister witnessed the destruction in Mykolaiv as a guest of president Zelenskyy. On the occasion of the visit, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said, and I quote: “There is an immediate need for the rest of the free world to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom. Ukraine can always count on Denmark as a close friend and partner. We will together with our allies and partners continue the comprehensive support to Ukraine, as long as it is needed”. End of quote.
Mr. Chair,
After one year, we know this by heart: We condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. Russia must immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. Furthermore, the Belarusian authorities must stop their support for Russia's illegal war of aggression.
I sincerely hope that the repetition of these messages will soon no longer be needed, because they will finally have been heard and heeded by Russia and Belarus.
I thank you, Mr. Chair
Vienna, 22 February 2023
Statement as delivered by Ambassador Christian Grønbech-Jensen.
Mr. Chair
Denmark fully aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union. Allow me to add the following in my national capacity.
Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has brought war back to Europe on a scale and with a brutality, we had not imagined ever to see again.
With its war of choice, Russia has violated the principles, political agreements and concrete transparency measures that we have worked for in the OSCE in the past many years in these very rooms.
Since 24th February last year Russia has demonstrated its continuous disregard for the commitments we all made to ensure that wars of aggression and the changing of borders through death and destruction were things of the past. Russia has shown its disregard for the European security architecture and for the Forum for Security Co-operation as one of its guardians.
Mr. Chair
A few weeks ago, the Danish Prime Minister witnessed the destruction in Mykolaiv as a guest of president Zelenskyy. On the occasion of the visit, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said, and I quote: “There is an immediate need for the rest of the free world to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom. Ukraine can always count on Denmark as a close friend and partner. We will together with our allies and partners continue the comprehensive support to Ukraine, as long as it is needed”. End of quote.
Mr. Chair,
After one year, we know this by heart: We condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. Russia must immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. Furthermore, the Belarusian authorities must stop their support for Russia's illegal war of aggression.
I sincerely hope that the repetition of these messages will soon no longer be needed, because they will finally have been heard and heeded by Russia and Belarus.
I thank you, Mr. Chair