Ukraine has called on OSCE participating states to increase pressure on Russia, including by restricting its diplomatic and so-called “cultural” infrastructure, which it says is used for espionage and subversive activities in Europe.
Rostyslav Palahusynets, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the International Organisations in Vienna, said this during a meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation.
“Restricting Russia’s diplomatic and so-called cultural infrastructure, which is used for espionage and subversive activities, would also reduce Moscow’s ability to conduct hostile activities in Europe,” the Ukrainian diplomat said.
He stressed that Russia’s war is directed against Ukraine, but Moscow’s coercion, destabilisation and intimidation are aimed at Europe as a whole.
Palahusynets noted that during the high-level week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, the protection of the UN Charter, sovereignty and territorial integrity once again took centre stage on the international agenda. At the same time, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, instead of responding to calls for a just and lasting peace, used the General Assembly podium to threaten Europe with war and repeat Russian narratives about its aggression against Ukraine.
“This rhetoric cannot be dismissed as ordinary propaganda. It follows recent threats by President Putin and is accompanied by Russian hybrid operations against EU and NATO member states, including airspace violations, sabotage, cyberattacks and information interference,” the diplomat said.
He stressed that the Kremlin views concessions as weakness and compromise as an invitation to increase pressure.
“The appropriate response is unity and resolve: stronger support for Ukraine, coordinated sanctions, international isolation of the aggressor and deeper defence cooperation,” Palahusynets said.
Ukraine’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the OSCE also called on partners to strengthen Ukraine’s air and missile defences, ensure timely supplies of air defence ammunition, coordinate sanctions and make effective use of frozen Russian assets.
“The European anti-ballistic missile initiative, timely supplies of air defence ammunition, coordinated sanctions and the effective use of frozen Russian assets are not merely support for Ukraine. They are a strategic step towards ensuring the security of the entire OSCE area,” the diplomat stressed.
