EU at OSCE: Russia can neither destroy Christmas nor Ukraine

The relevant statement was made by the EU at the OSCE Special Permanent Council meeting in Vienna, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“Russia intends to deprive the people of Ukraine of their festivities this year. But Russia should realise that it can neither destroy Christmas nor Ukraine. Russia will never succeed in destroying the will of the Ukrainian people to live freely and independently, their determination to fight the aggressor until victory, and their democratic and prosperous European future,” the statement reads.

The EU delegation reiterated their “unwavering support and solidarity with Ukraine” and stressed the importance of providing all necessary support to the Government of Ukraine and to the Ukrainian people.

“We will continue doing so in the coming year. At last week’s European Council, EU leaders made it clear that the EU and its Member States are resolute in their condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. They reaffirmed the EU’s full support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, as well as for Ukraine’s inherent right of self-defence against the Russian aggression,” the EU delegation noted.

The EU also reiterated that it is “ready to support Ukraine’s initiative for a just peace”.

“We demand that Russia immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. In addition, we urge the Belarusian authorities to refrain from any further involvement in Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as to immediately stop allowing its territory to serve as a launchpad for attacks against Ukraine, which is an aggression in itself. Belarus must also stop providing military support to Russia,” the EU delegation concluded.

mk