Ukraine at OSCE: Russia preparing for long war, not for peace

Ukraine's delegation to the OSCE stated this at a plenary meeting of the Forum for Security Cooperation in Vienna, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Despite the sustained efforts of Ukraine, the United States, the European Union and European states to find ways towards a just peace, Russia has chosen a different path: the path of daily terror against Ukraine’s civilian population, the path of systematic war crimes, the path of abducting Ukrainian children and attempting to erase Ukrainian identity. Russian air attacks against peaceful Ukrainian cities are a permanent feature of its strategy," the statement said.

The delegation noted that between December 1 and 7 alone, Russia launched more than 1,600 attack drones, around 1,200 guided aerial bombs, and nearly 70 missiles of various types at Ukraine.

"Over the course of this year, Putin has openly demonstrated his imperial ambitions and his preparation for further escalation on the European continent. He wants to project total dominance and to advertise Europe's alleged weakness. We have all seen the new decrees introducing year-round conscription, replacing the traditional spring and autumn drafts. Just recently, Putin signed another decree on mobilizing those in reserve. All these steps serve one purpose: to ensure a constant flow of human resources for his illegal war against Ukraine and to prepar  for potential escalation beyond Ukraine," the statement reads.

According to the Ukrainian delegation, these are not "the actions of [a state] seeking peace."

"These are the actions of a regime preparing for a long war. So the question is not rhetorical, it is very concrete: What else must Putin do for everyone to finally admit that he has no intention of stopping and that he treats all peaceful efforts by civilized states with open contempt?"

Against this backdrop, the delegation stressed Ukraine's commitment to peace – "but peace must be just and sustainable."

"That requires credible and durable security guarantees. Russian promises and 'assurances' are worthless. This is a state that has violated virtually every key security agreement it has signed – from the UN Charter to core arms control and confidence-building instruments. Therefore, the people of Ukraine will continue to fight for their sovereignty and territorial integrity. And we call again on the civilized world to support us in this struggle and to exert real pressure on Russia – political, economic, diplomatic and practical," the delegation said.

As reported, Putin earlier signed a law introducing year-round military conscription in Russia. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has also stated that the Kremlin continues creating conditions for deploying reservists to fight against Ukraine.