PCOEW11418 Translation by OSCE Language Services The OSCE Secretariat bears no responsibility for the content of this document PC.DEL/1353/25 and circulates it without altering its content. The distribution by OSCE 18 December 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 1545th MEETING OF THE OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL 11 December 2025 The Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine Mister Chair, The past week has once again shown a familiar and devastating pattern in Ukraine: large-scale missile and drone strikes on civilian areas and energy infrastructure. Russia continues its assault with little regard for the human cost, pursuing a campaign that has brought immense loss of life, including to its own side. We often hear distortion of reality in this hall, and as we try to address them we are accused of refusing to engage in an uneven, untrue dialogue. Instead, let’s start with facts that bear repeating. First, Ukraine did nothing to provoke this war and it has the inherent right to defend itself. Second, Russia has no legal justification for occupying and attempting to annex any part of Ukrainian territory as defined by internationally accepted borders of 1991. Third, Russia’s war of aggression remains the sole source of instability across our shared security space. Fourth, Ukraine has demonstrated, at every turn, its willingness to negotiate peace. Russia, the aggressor, has not, instead asking for further concessions, while making none of its own. And finally, diplomats should operate within a factually-respectful, defined space. Falsehoods spread by some participating States reduce the space and capacity for real dialogue. Mister Chair, The operating fundamental principles of this Organisation remain unchanged: respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, human rights, and the rule of international law. These principles are intended to provide a basis for cooperation, offer a predictable framework for partnerships, and underpin credible collective security efforts. When they are upheld, states can work together with confidence; when they are
- 2 - PC.DEL/1353/25 18 December 2025 ignored our outcomes are more fragile. Upholding these principles will not be accomplished through rhetoric but through practical efforts to ensure durable security outcomes that people across our region will accept. Mr. Chairperson, Canada continues to support security in Ukraine and in the region. Let there be no doubt that this continent, for which Canadians have sacrificed their lives and to which they continue to contribute, remains a top priority. At their most recent meeting, Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the developments in the ongoing peace talks and the leading role played by the United States of America. The Prime Minister underscored the need to keep up the pressure on Russia to negotiate in good faith while emphasizing Ukraine’s central role in any diplomatic process. Reaffirming Canada’s continued support for Ukraine’s defence, he confirmed the recent contribution of 200 million dollars to the joint NATO programme “Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List” (PURL), which will provide Ukraine with the military capabilities necessary to defend itself. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to working with its key partners to advance the peace negotiations. We continue to assist Ukraine by providing unwavering support and maintaining regular and close contact with our Ukrainian partners. Canada stands firmly side by side with Ukraine. 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 1545 th MEETING OF THE PERMANENT COUNCIL 11 December 2025 Mister Chair, The past week has once again shown a familiar and devastating pattern in Ukraine: large-scale missile and drone strikes on civilian areas and energy infrastructure. Russia continues its assault with little regard for the human cost, pursuing a campaign that has brought immense loss of life, including to its own side. We often hear distortion of reality in this hall, and as we try to address them we are accused of refusing to engage in an uneven, untrue dialogue. Instead, let’s us start with facts that bear repeating. First, Ukraine did nothing to provoke this war and it has the inherent right to defend itself. Second, Russia has no legal justification for occupying and attempting to annex any part of Ukrainian territory as defined by internationally accepted borders of 1991. Third, Russia’s war of aggression remains the sole source of instability across our shared security space. Fourth, Ukraine has demonstrated, at every turn, its willingness to negotiate peace. Russia, the aggressor, has not, instead asking for further concessions, while making none of its own. And finally, diplomats should operate within a factually-respectful, defined space. Falsehoods spread by some participating States reduce the space and capacity for real dialogue. Mister Chair, The operating fundamental principles of this Organisation remain unchanged: respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, human rights, and the rule of international law. These principles are intended to provide a basis for cooperation, offer a predictable framework for partnerships, and underpin credible collective security efforts. When they are upheld, states can work together with confidence; when they are ignored our outcomes are more fragile. Upholding these principles will not be accomplished through rhetoric but through practical efforts to ensure durable security outcomes that people across our region will accept. 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. PC.DEL/1353/25 18 December 2025 Original: as delivered
Monsieur le Président, Le Canada continue de soutenir la sécurité en Ukraine et dans la région. Qu’il n’y ait pas de doute, ce continent pour lequel des Canadiens ont fait le sacrifice de leur vie et continuent d’y contribuer, demeure une priorité absolue. L’entretien récent du premier ministre Mark Carney et du président Volodymyr Zelenskyy a discuté de l'évolution des pourparlers de paix en cours et du rôle de premier plan joué par les États- Unis. Le premier ministre a souligné la nécessité de maintenir la pression sur la Russie pour qu'elle négocie de bonne foi, en insistant sur le rôle central de l'Ukraine dans tout processus diplomatique. Réaffirmant le soutien continu du Canada à la défense de l'Ukraine, il a confirmé la récente contribution de 200 millions de dollars à un programme conjoint de l'OTAN, établissant une liste des besoins prioritaires de l'Ukraine, le PURL, qui fournira à l'Ukraine des capacités militaires essentielles pour se défendre. Le premier ministre a également réaffirmé la volonté du Canada de collaborer avec ses principaux partenaires pour faire avancer les négociations de paix. Nous continuons d’aider l'Ukraine en lui apportant un soutien sans relâche, et en demeurant en contact régulier et étroit avec nos partenaires ukrainiens. Le Canada est fermement aux côtés de l'Ukraine. Merci, monsieur le président.