Statement by Andrii Sybiha at the OSCE Council of Foreign Ministers
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
04 December 2025 12:13
Madam Chairperson, Secretary General, President of the Parliamentary Assembly,
It's an honour for me to address you today. Last year, I started by saying that Ukraine was bleeding. Today, unfortunately, this is still true. Ukraine is still bleeding. Today is one thousand three hundred eightieth day of Ukraine's resistance to full-scale invasion.
I could devote my speech to the only reason for this. The only reason why this war continues. And the only reason why security and cooperation in Europe are broken. We all know the name of this reason. But I will not repeat again that Russia has violated all ten principles of the Helsinki Decalogue. We all know this.
Instead, I will focus on only one thing: what should we do now so that next year, I can start my speech not with the words "Ukraine is bleeding". And not with the words "Europe is bleeding".
My main warning today is that problems must be solved, not ignored. This war is not as distant as some may think. Vienna is closer to the frontline of this war than to some other European capitals.
Nobody should have any illusions. As long as Ukraine is bleeding, nobody in this room is safe. Today, Russia doesn't want to stop its war against Ukraine. Tomorrow, it will not stop at expanding the war — deeper into Europe.
We need to stop the bleeding wound in the middle of Europe. We need to stop this bloodshed.
As we mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, it is time to be honest about the real state of security and cooperation in Europe. Time to take action to restore them.
Excellencies,
We are in a momentum to speed up peace efforts. And Ukraine wants peace more than anyone else. We are grateful to the United States for advancing the peace process. We also thank all European partners who support this path. We will use every opportunity to try to end this war. If there is even one chance to achieve peace at the negotiating table, it must be the main one.
But we also know that peace needs to be sustainable. And security must be guaranteed — by real strength and by real guarantees. Security should be the basis for everything else.
Europe had too many unfair peace deals in the past. All of them only led to new catastrophes. Probably no other continent in the world had more of such bitter experiences. That is why it is so critical to reaffirm commitment to the Helsinki Decalogue as we seek a fair end to Russia's war against Ukraine.
Another important conclusion is that the source of the problem cannot be part of the solution.
Just in the past months, Russia lost four important elections - to the ICAO Council, UNESCO Executive Board, OPCW Executive Council and the IMO Council.
Countries across the world do not see Russia as a partner in addressing global problems. Because Moscow itself is a root cause of global problems.
There is also no reason to consider that Russia could be a partner here - in the OSCE.
To be honest, there should be no place for war criminals at this table.
One hundred ninety five thousand war crimes. Six hundred seventy one children killed and over two thousand injured. Torture, rape, and systemic human rights violations. All of this needs to stop.
And nobody has the right to ignore this scale of Russian atrocities. There will be no peace without justice. And without security. Security is the foundation for everything.
We must ensure accountability. And here the OSCE can play a role.
We call for continued use of all OSCE mechanisms to document, expose, and condemn Russian crimes. It is also time to reflect on the role that the Organization can play in the post-war period.
Another critical point is the reform of the OSCE. In the fifty years since the Helsinki Final Act everything changed in Europe. And especially in the past few years.
It is time for the Organisation to adapt to the new realities. The OSCE reform that we proposed last year, remains on the table.
Madam Chairperson,
In conclusion, I express my gratitude to you, dear Elina, for your leadership this year. It has been a challenging period, but you and your team defended principles.
I also thank my Austrian colleague, Beate, for hosting this year's ministerial.
Finally, my best wishes to the incoming Chairperson, Federal Councillor Cassis. Dear Ignazio, I hope Switzerland will keep the OSCE functional and effective.
And I hope that next year I can start my address by saying that Ukraine is not bleeding anymore. And sincerely thanking all of those who helped stop this bleeding wound. Let's act before it is too late.
Future generations will be looking back at us today. If we want them to give a fair assessment of our deeds — we need to act now. Act — to achieve a true, fair, and lasting peace — for Ukraine and for all of Europe. Because everything is interlinked. And we still remember the names of those who betrayed future generations in Munich. This should never repeat again. Principles must be untouchable. And we need real peace, not appeasement.
Last but not least, we continue to demand Russia to release three unlawfully detained OSCE colleagues Maksym Petrov, Vadym Golda and Dmytro Shabanov. I also thank all fellow ministers who also demanded their release today.
Thank you, Madam Chairperson.
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