OSCE chair urges Russia to end aggression, withdraw troops from Ukraine

OSCE Chair-in-Office, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta Ian Borg said this at the opening of the 31st OSCE Ministerial Council in Malta on Thursday.

"Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, the inviolability of frontiers and the non-use of force are four of the central principles guiding relations between OSCE participating states, as set forth in the Helsinki Final Act and the UN Charter. We continue to condemn the flagrant breaches of these obligations and Russia's aggression against Ukraine. We call on the Russian Federation to withdraw from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine and end this war," Borg said.

Russia's war against Ukraine continues to pose a "systematic threat to European security," he said.

Borg stressed that the recent escalation and attacks "must stop immediately to pave the way for a diplomatic process, one that leads to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace."

He also renewed his urgent call for the immediate and unconditional release of three of the OSCE staff members illegally detained by Russia: Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov and Dmytro Shabanov.

"Earlier this year, at the Summit for Peace in Ukraine, I underlined that our organization can and should play an important role beyond the day after. I am convinced that the OSCE must remain determined to facilitate and accompany a meaningful, result-oriented dialogue and build peace in and for Ukraine," Borg said.

A two-day meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council began in Malta on December 5. The meeting is also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Photo: OSCE / Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malta