Ukrainian Foreign Ministry commented on Russia’s blockade of OSCE mission in Ukraine

Russia's blockade of the mandate of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine confirms Moscow's conscious choice to continue an aggressive war against Ukraine.

This is stated in the comment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on the termination of the mandate of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine due to the position of the Russian Federation.

The Foreign Ministry noted that among the key tasks of the mission were to reduce tensions and build peace, stability, and security.

"The blocking of the mission's mandate confirms Moscow's conscious choice to continue an aggressive war against Ukraine. Russia is not interested in the work of the OSCE SMM, which was to record numerous violations of international humanitarian law, war crimes, and crimes against humanity," the foreign ministry.

At the same time, they emphasize that the destructive position of the Russian Federation will not allow it to avoid responsibility either to its military and political leadership or to the direct executors of criminal orders.

The Foreign Ministry stressed that Ukraine was interested in continuing the monitoring activities of the mission throughout the internationally recognized territory of the country.

"In this context, we express our strong support for the efforts of the Polish Chairmanship and the OSCE Secretary-General to ensure an effective OSCE presence in Ukraine," the ministry said.

Note

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine was established in March 2014 at the request of the Government of Ukraine to the OSCE and by consensus decision of all 57 participating States, including Russia.

The mandate of the mission was extended every year, the last annual period, from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022.

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, said that the Polish Chairmanship would continue consultations with participating States on the future role and presence of the OSCE in Ukraine.