PCOEW11380 Translation by OSCE Language Services The OSCE Secretariat bears no responsibility for the content of this document PC.DEL/1267/25 and circulates it without altering its content. The distribution by OSCE 21 November 2025 Conference Services of this document is without prejudice to OSCE decisions, as set out in documents agreed by OSCE participating States. ENGLISH Original: as delivered Delegation of Canada STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR VÉRONIQUE PEPIN -HALLÉ, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF CANADA TO THE OSCE, AT THE 1543rd MEETING OF THE OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL 20 November 2025 The Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine Mister Chair, Last week, Russia accused Canada of being too remote from the war in Ukraine and indifferent to the suffering of Ukrainians. Russia makes these claims not because they are credible. It makes them because it can’t answer our legitimate concerns about its conduct in Ukraine, so it deflects and distracts. It is striking for Russia to question the commitment of other states to upholding human rights obligations. This is the same state that initiated an unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion of a sovereign neighbour, unapologetically striking civilian infrastructure, and causing profound human suffering. Just yesterday, a Russian strike hit a residential building in Ternopil, resulting in the deaths of 26 people, including children, and injuring 93 people, 18 of them children. Canada condemns the strike on Ternopil and will continue to work with its international partners to hold Russia accountable for its actions against Ukrainian civilians. This is sadly only one day in a conflict that has already spanned 1,365 deadly days. The toll of this war on civilians is devastating and represents a flagrant disregard for human life. Canada’s commitment to freedom and human rights is deeply rooted in our history. As is our connection to Europe and European security. Canadians have fought and died on this continent for these values, and we continue to honor that legacy by standing with Ukraine. Our support is grounded in respect for the choices Ukrainians themselves have made, through their votes, their voices, and, tragically, their sacrifices. Ukraine’s future belongs to Ukrainians, and Canada stands firmly with them. Russia has repeatedly sought to delegitimize Ukraine’s choices and treat its sovereignty as optional. Yet Ukrainians have made it clear that they reject subjugation.
- 2 - PC.DEL/1267/25 21 November 2025 Mr. Chairperson, Most countries in the region prioritize openness, trade, strong partnerships and good-neighbourly relations based on mutual respect, with the aim of ensuring their shared prosperity. They seek to invest in their people, strengthen their economies and build a future full of promise. Canada’s support for Ukraine is based on these enduring principles. From the very first hours of the invasion, we provided military assistance and humanitarian aid, imposed sanctions on the aggressor and offered diplomatic and political support. Our approach bolsters Ukraine’s sovereignty, security and democratic choices. The Russian model, on the other hand, is based on decisions dictated by the authorities in Moscow that serve only their own interests and that offer nothing attractive to Ukraine or to any other country in our region. Russia also continues to violate, in a deeply troubling manner, the diplomatic norms that we have all established together. In that regard, Russia continues to refuse to disclose information about the three arbitrarily detained OSCE officials: Dmytro Shabanov, Maksym Petrov and Vadym Golda. Their detention is illegal and violates the principles of this Organization and international law. They must be released immediately and without preconditions. Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.
Delegation of Canada Délégation du Canada to the OSCE auprès de l’OSCE STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR VÉRONIQUE PEPIN-HALLÉ UNDER AGENDA ITEM: The Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine 1543 rd MEETING OF THE PERMANENT COUNCIL 20 November 2025 Mister Chair, Last week, Russia accused Canada of being too remote from the war in Ukraine and indifferent to the suffering of Ukrainians. Russia makes these claims not because they are credible. It makes them because it can’t answer our legitimate concerns about its conduct in Ukraine, so it deflects and distracts. It is striking for Russia to question the commitment of other states to upholding human rights obligations. This is the same state that initiated an unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion of a sovereign neighbour, unapologetically striking civilian infrastructure, and causing profound human suffering. Just yesterday, a Russian strike hit a residential building in Ternopil, resulting in the deaths of 26 people, including children, and injuring 93 people, 18 of them children. Canada condemns the strike on Ternopil and will continue to work with its international partners to hold Russia accountable for its actions against Ukrainian civilians. This is sadly only one day in a conflict that has already spanned 1,365 deadly days. The toll of this war on civilians is devastating and represents a flagrant disregard for human life. Canada’s commitment to freedom and human rights is deeply rooted in our history. As is our connection to Europe and European security. Canadians have fought and died on this continent for these values, and we continue to honor that legacy by standing with Ukraine. Our support is grounded in respect for the choices Ukrainians themselves have made, through their votes, their voices, and, tragically, their sacrifices. Ukraine’s future belongs to Ukrainians, and Canada stands firmly with them. Russia has repeatedly sought to delegitimize Ukraine’s choices and treat its sovereignty as optional. Yet Ukrainians have made it clear that they reject subjugation. Monsieur le Président, La plupart des pays de la région privilégient l'ouverture, le commerce, les partenariats solides et les relations de bon voisinage fondées sur le respect mutuel, et ce, dans le but d'assurer leur prospérité commune. Ils cherchent à investir dans leur population, à renforcer leur économie et à bâtir un avenir riche de promesses. PC.DEL/1267/25 21 November 2025 Original: as delivered The OSCE Secretariat bears no responsibility for the content of this document and circulates it without altering its content. The distribution by OSCE Conference Services of this document is without prejudice to OSCE decisions, as set out in documents agreed by OSCE participating States.
Le soutien du Canada à l'Ukraine est fondé sur ces principes durables. Dès les premières heures de l'invasion, nous avons fourni une aide militaire et humanitaire, imposé des sanctions à l'agresseur et offert un soutien diplomatique et politique. Notre approche renforce la souveraineté, la sécurité et les choix démocratiques de l'Ukraine. En revanche, le modèle russe repose sur des décisions dictées par Moscou qui ne servent que ses propres intérêts et n'offrent rien d'attrayant à l'Ukraine ou à tout autre pays de notre région. Puis la Russie continue également de violer de manière foncièrement préoccupantes les normes diplomatiques que nous avons tous établies, ensemble. En ce sens, la Russie continue de refuser de divulguer des informations sur les trois fonctionnaires de l'OSCE détenus arbitrairement, Dmytro Shabanov, Maksym Petrov et Vadym Golda. Leur détention est illégale et porte atteinte aux principes de cette organisation, et du droit international. Ils doivent être libérés immédiatement, et ce, sans condition. Merci, Monsieur le Président.