The OSCE continues to support Ukraine

I am on the train on my way back to Poland from Kyiv.

The landscape is beautiful on this route, but the damage done to Ukraine since Russia launched its unprovoked war on 24 February is profound. The senseless violence committed against people across the country is unconscionable, yet I am deeply moved by the resilience of the Ukrainian people.

I was in Kyiv with the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, to signal clearly that the OSCE is committed to stay engaged in Ukraine. Our legacy spans nearly three decades and is based on all three dimensions of security: politico-military, economic and environmental, and the human dimension. Throughout the years, our successes have rested on the dedicated efforts of our Ukrainian colleagues. Without them, and the co-operation of the Ukrainian authorities, this would not have been possible.

Three of these colleagues are still being detained unjustifiably by those in control of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk. Together with the OSCE Chair, I have repeatedly re-iterated our demand for their immediate liberation and I will continue to work tirelessly to secure their release.

We are forced to close down the Special Monitoring Mission and the Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine because the Russian Federation did not join consensus to extend their respective mandates. But we are determined to preserve their legacy and continue to support this country - on the ground and from the OSCE Secretariat and our Institutions in Warsaw, Vienna and The Hague. 

Today, Minister Rau and I showed that these are not empty words when we announced a new programme that will guide the OSCE’s support to Ukraine in the years to come. Our programme brings together already more than 20 projects to support Ukrainian state institutions, civil society and its citizens. This builds on the trusted partnerships and invaluable experience that we have gained over the past three decades.

Our immediate priorities include, among others, addressing humanitarian needs and preventing and combating the illicit trafficking of weapons, ammunition and explosives. They also include responding to the environmental damage caused by the war, for example by helping raise awareness to mitigate increased chemical security risks.

We will continue to work with the local authorities to protect civilians from unexploded ordinance and other remnants of war through training and supporting the development of the legal and policy frameworks.

Millions of people continue to flee the country in search of safety, food and shelter. Ninety percent of them are women and children. As they seek work and housing in transit and destination countries, they are being targeted by traffickers, and continue to face the risk of exploitation.

In response to this increased threat, we issued a set of policy recommendations to help countries prevent and mitigate those risks. Last week, we launched the ‘Be Safe’ campaign with the media company Thomson Reuters. ‘Be Safe’ is an online resource that provides critical information and advice to help Ukrainians as they move through transit States or seek work and housing in host countries. We will continue our efforts to reach as many Ukrainians as possible and help them stay aware and stay safe.

Continued support to women and girls of Ukraine remains a top priority. With our partner, the Women Against Violence in Europe Network, we are supporting survivors of violence that affects women disproportionately in conflict settings. War is never gender blind.

Whether in Ukraine or beyond its borders, our activities will focus on addressing the immediate threats and risks caused by war as well as the longer-term impacts of conflict.

The OSCE has supported Ukraine for nearly 30 years and we will continue to do so. The OSCE stands by Ukraine.