OSCE parliamentarians express opposition to invasion of Ukraine at Winter Meeting
The Russian invasion of Ukraine was the focus of the OSCE PA’s 21st Winter Meeting, held in a blended format on 24-25 February. In an open debate during the plenary session on 24 February, the morning of the news breaking of the Russian invasion, 28 parliamentarians took the floor, with the vast majority expressing strong opposition to the incursion and concern for the lives of civilians in Ukraine. Parliamentarians called the Russian military operation in Ukraine “indefensible” and a “gross violation of international law,” urging an immediate end to the hostilities and a return to diplomacy.
Opening the discussion, OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, OSCE PA President Margareta Cederfelt, and President of the Austrian Parliament Wolfgang Sobotka reiterated the role of the OSCE in facilitating dialogue and building confidence. President Sobotka said that OSCE principles are being violated on a broad spectrum, and expressed hope that diplomatic relations could be reopened. Foreign Minister Rau said that Russia’s actions constitute “a fundamental breach of the UN Charter and Helsinki Final Act.” President Cederfelt stressed the OSCE PA’s steadfast support for the resolution of the conflict based on core OSCE principles such as the inviolability of frontiers and the indivisibility of security.
Ukrainian Head of Delegation Mykyta Poturaiev described the dire situation that his country faces, with large-scale military operations in Ukraine’s biggest cities. Several parliamentarians remarked that the recent developments represent a major threat to peace not only in Ukraine but the whole of Europe.
Read also
The crisis was also debated in the Standing Committee, where OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid noted that dialogue had been offered by the OSCE and the Polish Chairmanship, but regretted that “Russia chose force over dialogue.”
The PA’s General Committees focused their attention on the issue, with discussions touching on the impacts on the OSCE’s three dimensions of security, informing the preparation of reports and resolutions to be presented at the Birmingham Annual Session in July 2022. Committee members also heard from representatives of the OSCE’s executive structures who briefed the parliamentarians on the work of their offices.
OSCE PA Special Representatives, Chairs of Ad Hoc Committees and leaders of recent election observation missions reported to the Standing Committee on their activities.