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Vice-Minister E. Meilūnas at the OSCE Chairpersonship Security Conference: Russian attacks on Ukraine's critical civilian infrastructure have reached an unprecedented level

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2023.06.29

"The Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Egidijus Meilūnas participated in the Chairpersonship Security Review Conference 2023 of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which took part on June 28-29 and was dedicated to Russia's war against Ukraine.

"Russia's attacks on Ukraine's critical civilian infrastructure reached an unprecedented level when the aggressor country deliberately destroyed the Kachovka hydroelectric dam. These actions can amount to war crimes, and Lithuania, together with other Western countries, is determined to ensure that all perpetrators and accomplices of war crimes are brought to justice under international law, and that the political and military leadership of Russia and Belarus receive retribution for the crimes of aggression. The special international tribunal is the only way to ensure justice and accountability for the aggression against Ukraine," the vice-minister said during the conference.

E. Meilūnas noted that Russia continues to destroy the system created by the OSCE, aimed at promoting mutual trust, transparency, risk reduction, stability and security in the OSCE area. Recently, Russia officially announced its withdrawal from the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe. This decision is the latest in a series of actions by Russia that are systematically undermining European security. It also makes it clear that the Kremlin has complete disregard for arms control treaties and regimes and has no interest in complying with its commitments.

The vice-minister also drew attention to the actions of Belarus, Russia's accomplice. Plans to deploy Russia's nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus contradict the international obligations of Russia and Belarus under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The possible deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus, the presence of Russian conventional military forces in the country and the heavily militarized Kaliningrad region continue to pose huge security challenges for Lithuania and the surrounding part of the OSCE area.

E. Meilūnas emphasized that it is necessary to continue to provide unconditional and permanent political, economic, humanitarian and military support to Ukraine, and Russia and its accomplice Belarus should not belong to the OSCE community.

The Annual Security Review Conference is the OSCE's main political and military security event to discuss pressing regional security challenges. This year, after Russia blocked the decision to organize the conference, North Macedonia, which holds the OSCE presidency, is organising the security conference on its own behalf.