Parliamentary security committee leaders warn against escalation in Ukraine conflict

COPENHAGEN, 7 April 2021 – Amid reports of rapidly growing military deployments by the Russian Federation in and around Ukraine, senior OSCE Parliamentary Assembly officials warned of the risk of escalation and reaffirmed its full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

Expressing concern regarding the potential for renewed escalation of the seven-year conflict which has already left 14,000 dead, Congressman Richard Hudson (United States), Costel Neculai Dunava (Romania), and Laurynas Kasciunas (Lithuania), the Chair, Vice-Chair and Rapporteur, respectively, of the OSCE PA's General Committee on Political Affairs and Security, released the following statement:

“We are deeply concerned by reports of provocative and destabilizing Russian actions in and around Ukraine that could lead to grave escalation of this ongoing conflict. While Russian aims are not fully clear, there should be no doubt that that the international community is watching closely. We urge the Kremlin to de-escalate, withdraw, and fully respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity.”

The PA leaders recalled the Assembly’s consistent support to the restoration of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and its condemnation of Russian violations of its commitments under the Helsinki Final Act.