News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Russia must stop aggression and destruction of religious sites and places of worship – joint statement by Special Representatives of OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Council of Europe
Publishing date: 13 April 2022
– As the Russian military attack against Ukraine continues, we mourn the victims of war and lament the millions forced to leave their homes and their country behind, seeking shelter and safety within Ukraine, in Europe and beyond. Children, women and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. Many victims of the war suffer from profound psychological trauma.
Moscow Mechanism experts report to OSCE Permanent Council on Ukraine
Publishing date: 13 April 2022
The OSCE Moscow Mechanism mission of experts undertaken by Professor Wolfgang Benedek, Professor Veronika Bílková and Professor Marco Sassòli presented their findings to the OSCE Permanent Council on 13 April 2022, collected in the report entitled ‘Report On Violations Of International Humanitarian And Human Rights Law, War Crimes And Crimes Against Humanity Committed In Ukraine Since 24 February 2022’.
OSCE Troika meets with Ukrainian Foreign Minister, expresses strong support to Ukraine and calls on Russia to immediately stop its military attack
Publishing date: 8 April 2022
RZESZOW, 8 April 2022- The Foreign Ministers of Poland, Sweden, and North Macedonia, representing the OSCE Troika met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Rzeszow, in Poland’s Podkarpacie Region. During a meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, the Foreign Ministers of Sweden, Poland and North Macedonia reiterated their call for the Russian Federation to end hostilities and withdraw its forces from Ukraine and expressed their full support in these challenging times.
OSCE Secretary General calls for vigilance as fighting increases long-term environmental risks in Ukraine
Publishing date: 7 April 2022
VIENNA, 7 April 2022 – OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid has warned of the serious environmental damages caused by continued fighting in Ukraine, and their long-term effects across the region.
OSCE Media Freedom Representative reiterates grave worries regarding safety of journalists in Ukraine
Publishing date: 6 April 2022
VIENNA, 6 April 2022 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro today reiterated her grave worries regarding the safety of journalists during the Russian ongoing military attack in Ukraine, as the death toll, injuries and harassment of media workers grows.
Threats from explosive ordnance and mines are an expanding aspect of urgent humanitarian needs for Ukraine, says OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine
Publishing date: 4 April 2022
KYIV/VIENNA, 4 April 2022 – International assistance to Ukraine is urgently needed to strengthen the country’s capacity in humanitarian demining and Explosive Ordnance Risk Education. This was the main message by Ambassador Henrik Villadsen, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, today as he marked the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
Chairman-in-Office and Secretary General expressed regret that no consensus reached on extension of mandate of Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine
Publishing date: 31 March 2022
WARSAW/VIENNA, 31 March 2022- OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau and Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid expressed their sincere regret that no consensus was reached on the extension of the mandate of OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, the Organization’s largest field presence and a key component of its response to the crisis in and around Ukraine.