Conference of the States Parties of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe: Withdrawal of the Russian Federation from the Treaty

To be clear, Russia’s behavior is the key factor creating today’s crisis in European security, and Russia’s actions have had global consequences well beyond the military sphere, as we have seen the rapid rise in food insecurity and other economic impacts.   Read More»

Response to the Report by the Director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

ODIHR’s quick reaction to Russia’s brutal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine through your human rights monitoring work is an important contribution to international accountability efforts.  Read More»

Moscow Mechanism Report On Russia’s Legal and Administrative Practice in Light of its OSCE Human Dimension Commitments

This report effectively summarizes the terrible cost of a decade of legislative attacks on human rights in Russia under what can only be described as a police state. Read More»

Right of Reply to the Russian Federation’s Current Issue “On biological programmes and activities of the United States of America in Ukraine”

Russia’s long track record of accusing others of the violations it itself is perpetrating, or plans to perpetrate, raises the possibility that the Kremlin may be laying the predicate for a false flag operation using biological or chemical weapons. Read More»

Right of Reply to Belarus on the Russian Federation’s Ongoing Aggression Against Ukraine

Right of Reply to Belarus on the Russian Federation’s Ongoing Aggression Against Ukraine As delivered by Ambassador Michael Carpenter to the Permanent Council, Vienna March 24, 2022  Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, with regards to the intervention, just now, from the Belarusian representative, where he says that his country has no plans to attack Ukrainian ... Read More»

Joint Statement of the Group of Friends of  Georgia 

We reiterate our full support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders, and remain deeply concerned over the continued occupation of parts of the territory of Georgia by the Russian Federation as well as by steps to integrate Abkhazia and South Ossetia into the Russia's socio-economic sphere.     Read More»

Joint statement of the Group of Friends of Georgia

Thirteen years since the Russian military invasion of Georgia, we remain deeply concerned over the continued occupation of parts of the territory of Georgia and underline the need for the peaceful resolution of the conflict based on full respect for the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and international law. Read More»

Right of Reply to Russia On Russia’s Ongoing Aggression against Ukraine and Illegal Occupation of Crimea

I just wanted to remind my esteemed Russian colleague that Moscow committed to all three of the Minsk agreements: the Minsk Protocol, signed September 5, 2014; the Minsk Memorandum of Understanding, signed September 19, 2014; and the Minsk Package of Measures, signed February 12, 2015, since you wanted us to talk about documents. Read More»

On Russia’s Ongoing Aggression against Ukraine and Illegal Occupation of Crimea

On Russia’s Ongoing Aggression against Ukraine and Illegal Occupation of Crimea As delivered by Chargé d’Affaires Courtney Austrian to the Permanent Council, Vienna April 15, 2021 Thank you, Madam Chair. For seven years, Russia has orchestrated a large-scale hybrid campaign against Ukraine, while denying its involvement and obstructing progress toward a peaceful resolution of the conflict.  ... Read More»

On Russia’s military activities near Ukraine’s border and in Russia-occupied Crimea

On Russia’s military activities near Ukraine’s border and in Russia-occupied Crimea  As delivered by Chargé d’Affaires Courtney Austrian to a special joint session of the Forum for Security Cooperation and the Permanent Council, Vienna April 14, 2021 Thank you, Mister Chair. The United States joins other participating States in expressing our continued and considerable concern over Russia’s military activities ... Read More»

Right of Reply to Russia on “Mass and Systemic Violations of Human Rights in the United States”

My esteemed colleagues raised quite a litany of issues pertaining to the United States, all of which were clearly learned about from U.S. media sources, so it is at least hard to imagine that there are legitimate complaints about media freedom in the United States. Read More»

Deteriorating Human Rights Situation in Russia

In recent months, the Kremlin intensified its efforts to suppress independent voices and viewpoints, including those of members of civil society organizations, human rights defenders, independent journalists, political opposition members, and believers belonging to religious minority communities. Read More»

Joint Statement on the Human Rights Violations and Abuses in the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation

Joint Statement on the Human Rights Violations in the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation As delivered by Ambassador Jeroen Boender of the Netherlands to the Permanent Council, Vienna December 17, 2020 I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Moscow Mechanism invoking participating States: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, the ... Read More»

On Russia’s Ongoing Aggression against Ukraine and Illegal Occupation of Crimea

On Russia’s Ongoing Aggression against Ukraine and Illegal Occupation of Crimea As delivered by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III to the Permanent Council, Vienna December 17, 2020 Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is our last Permanent Council meeting of 2020, your last as chairperson: one of the more difficult years in recent history for all ... Read More»

Ongoing Violations of International Law by the Russian Federation in Ukraine

Ongoing Violations of International Law by the Russian Federation in Ukraine As delivered by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III to the Permanent Council, Vienna December 10, 2020 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. During last week’s Ministerial Council meeting, the participating States of this Permanent Council rightfully focused much of our attention on Russia’s multi-year aggression against ... Read More»

Joint Statement on Ukraine

Joint Statement on Ukraine Statement Delivered by H.E. Anne-Kirsti Karlsen, Ambassador of Norway to the OSCE Ministerial Council Tirana, Albania (remotely, via Zoom) December 4, 2020 This Statement is delivered on behalf of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, ... Read More»

Ambassador Reeker’s Remarks to the OSCE Side Event on Crimea

Ambassador Reeker’s Remarks to the OSCE Side Event on Crimea As prepared for delivery by Ambassador Philip T. Reeker to the OSCE Side Event on Crimea Tirana, Albania (remotely, via Zoom) December 3, 2020 Thank you, Foreign Minister Kuleba. It is an honor to speak at this event today and to join Ukraine and other ... Read More»

Ongoing Violations of International Law by the Russian Federation in Ukraine

Ongoing Violations of International Law by the Russian Federation in Ukraine As delivered by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III to the Permanent Council, Vienna November 26, 2020 Thank you, Mr. Chair. At next week’s Ministerial Council, the first in a fully virtual format, we expect to see significant attention paid to the Russia-led conflict in ... Read More»

Right of Reply to the Russian Federation on the Representative of the OSCE Joint Latvian-Russian Commission on Military Pensioners

Right of Reply to the Russian Federation on the Representative of the OSCE Joint Latvian-Russian Commission on Military Pensioners As delivered by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III to the Permanent Council, Vienna November 19, 2020 I don’t want to speak very long, but let me simply state to my Russian colleague:  I am confused about ... Read More»

Response to the Representative of the OSCE Joint Latvian-Russian Commission on Military Pensioners

Response to the Representative of the OSCE Joint Latvian-Russian Commission on Military Pensioners As delivered by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III to the Permanent Council, Vienna November 19, 2020   Thank you, Mr. Chairperson, and thanks to Dr. Frohbart also very much for his report. Thank you, sir, for being here and giving your report. ... Read More»

Response to the Continuing Provocative Actions and Non-Transparent Military Convoys Movements in the Security Zone of the Republic of Moldova

Response to the Continuing Provocative Actions and Non-Transparent Military Convoys Movements in the Security Zone of the Republic of Moldova As delivered by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III to the Permanent Council, Vienna November 12, 2020 Thank you, Madam Chair. The United States commends Moldova for raising a number of concerns at the Permanent Council ... Read More»

On Russia’s Ongoing Aggression against Ukraine and Illegal Occupation of Crimea

Ongoing Violations of International Law and Defiance of OSCE Principles and Commitments by the Russian Federation in Ukraine As delivered by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III to the Permanent Council, Vienna November 12, 2020 Thank you, Madam Chairperson. As part of a broader program to destabilize its sovereign neighbor, Russia has fomented and financed a ... Read More»

Right of Reply to the Russian Federation on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists

Right of Reply to the Russian Federation on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists As delivered  by Deputy Chief of Mission Courtney Austrian to the Permanent Council, Vienna November 6, 2020   Thank you, Madam Chair.   In respect for my colleagues time on a beautiful Friday, I will be brief but ... Read More»

On Russia’s Ongoing Aggression against Ukraine and Illegal Occupation of Crimea

On Russia’s Ongoing Aggression against Ukraine and Illegal Occupation of Crimea As delivered by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III to the Permanent Council, Vienna November 5, 2020 Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  On October 29, the OSCE’s Observer Mission at the Gukovo and Donetsk checkpoints issued a spot report confirming another Russian convoy—the 97th!—crossing into Ukraine via the Donetsk Border Crossing Point.  The Mission observed a total of six ... Read More»

Right of Reply on “Gross Violations of Human Rights in the USA” Raised by Russia

Right of Reply on “Gross Violations of Human Rights in the USA” Raised by Russia As delivered by Deputy Chief of Mission Courtney Austrian to the Permanent Council, Vienna October 29, 2020 Thank you, Mr. Chair. Since the distinguished representative from Russia has mentioned my country, I’d like to exercise my Right of Reply. As ... Read More»

On Russia’s Ongoing Aggression against Ukraine and Illegal Occupation of Crimea

Ongoing Violations of International Law and Defiance of OSCE Principles and Commitments by the Russian Federation in Ukraine As delivered by Deputy Chief of Mission Courtney Austrian to the Permanent Council, Vienna October 29, 2020 Thank you, Madam Chair. As October draws to a close, we are encouraged by another month of lower levels of ... Read More»

Ongoing Violations of International Law and Defiance of OSCE Principles and Commitments by the Russian Federation in Ukraine

Ongoing Violations of International Law and Defiance of OSCE Principles and Commitments by the Russian Federation in Ukraine As delivered by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III to the Permanent Council, Vienna October 22, 2020   Thank you, Mr. Chairman.   Earlier this year, in this Permanent Council, we marked the 45th anniversary of the Helsinki ... Read More»

Regarding Russian Occupation of Georgia, Ambassador Gilmore Acknowledges “Wake Up Call” for the “Most Serious Situation We’ve Seen in Years”

Regarding Russian Occupation of Georgia, Ambassador Gilmore Acknowledges “Wake Up Call” for the “Most Serious Situation We’ve Seen in Years” PRESS RELEASE | November 15, 2019 Vienna, November 14, 2019 – Responding to the reports by the co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions on the situation in Georgia, Ambassador James Gilmore, head of the U.S. ... Read More»

ASRC: Stability and Security in light of Developments with Respect to Ukraine

Annual Security Review Conference: Special Session on Ensuring Security and Stability in the OSCE region in Light of Developments with Respect to Ukraine As delivered by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Christopher Robinson, Vienna, June 25, 2019 With the conflict in Ukraine now in its sixth year, we should collectively ... Read More»

Prosecution of Four Suspects in MH17 Case

Prosecution of Four Suspects in the MH17 Case As delivered by Acting Deputy Head of Mission Gregory Macris to the Permanent Council, Vienna June 20, 2019 As U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo stated yesterday: “The United States welcomes the announcement today regarding the indictment of four individuals for their role in the downing of ... Read More»