Statement at the OSCE Annual Security Review Conference

OSCE Annual Security Review Conference

June 25, 2025

Delivered by Juris Pēkalis

Director General for Security Policy and International Organisations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia

Chairperson,

I would like to begin by expressing Latvia’s support and gratitude to the Finnish OSCE Chairpersonship and the OSCE Secretariat for organising this year’s Annual Security Review Conference.

In the wake of 50^th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, we see Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine continues to bring enormous suffering and destruction to Ukraine and its people. Those actions fundamentally affect the security landscape in Europe and are in breach of Russia’s key commitments under the UN Charter and the OSCE.

The Russian Federation remains the most significant and direct threat to peace and stability in the OSCE area.

Founding principles of security and cooperation and commitments were designed to prevent war in Europe and ensure respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries. Russia’s imperialistic ambitions and aggressive behaviour have demonstrated its blatant disrespect towards this legacy and commitments it had negotiated itself.

Russia’s aggression against its neighbouring countries – Georgia in 2008 and Ukraine since 2014, its continuous violations and withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty and the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe along with its selective implementation of Vienna Document show a clear pattern of disregard towards obligations and political commitments. It is not the existing CSBMs and politico-military tools and mechanisms, but Russia’s behaviour to be blamed for the deteriorating security situation. OSCE toolbox holds a significant potential for risk reduction through dialogue, transparency and building mutual trust. However, this requires political will and respect for the basic principles of security and cooperation.

Chairperson,

For years, Russia has continuously violated international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including by deliberately targeting the civilian population and civilian objects in Ukraine. Russia is trying to brutally subjugate Ukraine and its people by cutting their access to electricity, water and other vital amenities and killing and abducting civilians, including children. Russia is using illegal and indiscriminate means of warfare, including cluster munitions, incendiary weapons and riot control agents.

Crimes committed by Russia cannot and will not go unpunished. Russia must stop the war and assume full responsibility for its actions. All perpetrators must be brought to justice, including to international courts.

Russia’s lack of respect for the founding aims and principles of the OSCE is also evident in its continuous obstruction of the work of this organisation.

Belarus enables Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and generates security challenges to its neighbours, including by instrumentalization of illegal migration. While Belarus portrays itself as a responsible and open partner in the OSCE, its actions speak louder than words.

Chairperson,

The OSCE region faces challenges across all three dimensions of security. Many of them can be effectively mitigated through cooperation. However, trust and confidence will continue to worsen for as long as Russia continues its war of aggression. It will take decades for confidence and security to be restored in our region.

Russia must stop its war of aggression, abandon its aggressive behaviour and imperialistic ambitions. It is the only credible way for sustainable, just and lasting peace in Europe.

We reiterate our demand that Russia completely and unconditionally withdraws all troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

We commend efforts by the Finnish Chairpersonship to revitalize Helsinki principles to build confidence and security.

We are fully committed and will continue to defend these fundamental principles and OSCE commitments across all three dimensions.

Thank you, Chairperson.