Ukraine urges OSCE to step up pressure on Russia and restrict its diplomatic and cultural footprint in Europe
The Ukrainian delegation urged OSCE participating states to increase pressure on Russia, specifically by restricting Moscow's use of its diplomatic and so-called "cultural" infrastructure for espionage and subversion across Europe.
Ukrinform reported the diplomatic address, according to Rubryka.
"Restricting Russian diplomatic and so-called cultural infrastructure, which is used for espionage and subversion, would also reduce Moscow's ability to carry out hostile activities in Europe," stated Rostyslav Palahusynets, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to International Organizations in Vienna, during a meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation.
The Ukrainian diplomat emphasized that while Russia's war targets Ukraine directly, Moscow's coercion, destabilization, and intimidation aim at Europe as a whole.
According to him, during the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, the defense of the UN Charter, sovereignty, and territorial integrity returned to the center of the international agenda.
At the same time, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, instead of responding to calls for a just and lasting peace, used the UN General Assembly podium to threaten Europe with war and reiterate Russian narratives regarding the aggression against Ukraine.
"This rhetoric cannot be dismissed as mere propaganda. It follows recent threats from President Putin and accompanies Russian hybrid operations against EU and NATO member states, including airspace violations, sabotage, cyberattacks, and information interference," the diplomat stated.
He also stressed that the Kremlin interprets concessions as weakness and compromise as an invitation to intensify pressure.
"The appropriate response is unity and resolve: stronger support for Ukraine, coordinated sanctions, international isolation of the aggressor, and deeper defense cooperation," Palahusynets emphasized.
Ukraine's Deputy Head of Mission to the OSCE specifically called on partners to:
- Strengthen Ukraine's air and missile defenses
- Deliver air defense ammunition in a timely manner
- Coordinate sanctions enforcement
- Effectively utilize frozen Russian assets
According to him, these measures are crucial not only for supporting Ukraine, but also for securing the entire OSCE area.
"A European anti-ballistic initiative, timely deliveries of air defense ammunition, coordinated sanctions, and the effective use of frozen Russian assets are not just support for Ukraine. They represent a strategic step for the security of the entire OSCE region," the diplomat noted.
Background
In 2024, Russia's State Duma and Federation Council adopted a statement suspending the Russian delegation's participation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA). Russia also ceased paying its membership contributions to the OSCE PA.
Earlier, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe approved three resolutions related to Ukraine, addressing legal aspects of Russian aggression, the role of sanctions, and measures to counter the eradication of cultural identity.
