The OSCE Secretariat bears no responsibility for the content of this document PC.DEL/868/26 and circulates it without altering its content. The distribution by OSCE 18 September 2026 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 1577th MEETING OF THE OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL
17 September 2026
The Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine
Mr. Chairperson,
Last week, the Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, welcomed the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to Canada to mark the start of a new chapter in the already close and warm relationship between Canada and Ukraine.
On this occasion, the leaders signed two declarations laying the foundations for a strategic partnership for generations to come.
– The Canada-Ukraine Declaration for a 100-Year Partnership, which will focus on defence innovation and co-operation, economic growth, trade and reconstruction, and people-to-people ties;
– The Joint Declaration on Enhancement of the Defence and Security Co-operation between Ukraine and Canada.
The leaders committed to finalizing this strategic partnership agreement by December 2026 and announced a series of practical initiatives that are in keeping with this long-term vision, including:
– Approximately 350 million dollars allocated by Canada for the delivery of critical air defence interceptors through the Joint Ukraine Multinational Program – Services, Training and Articles Rapid Timeline (JUMPSTART);
– Nearly 23 million dollars allocated by Canada to help in detecting and preventing hybrid threats.
Prime Minister Carney and President Zelenskyy also emphasized the importance of bolstering Ukraine’s energy resilience as another winter approaches, which is likely to be a particularly challenging one for Ukrainian civilians.
PCOEW11769 Translation by OSCE Language Services -2- PC.DEL/868/26 18 September 2026
To this end, Canada has announced several measures, including loans, funding packages and contributions, to the tune of more than 645 million dollars for the purchase of gas and backup generators, for the reconstruction of critical infrastructure, and other forms of support for the energy sector.
At the same time, a Canada-Ukraine initiative on critical minerals was announced, which will promote joint research, boost Ukraine’s economic reconstruction and help to develop its critical mineral production capacity.
However, the partnership between Canada and Ukraine also takes into account the far-reaching human and social repercussions of Russia’s aggression. Canada remains mindful of the heavy burden this war is placing on citizens, families and communities across Ukraine.
It is in this spirit that Canada will lead the design of an initiative aimed at supporting Ukrainian veterans and their families, as part of the implementation of a national Ukrainian strategy in this area. Our support will consist of funding of up to 40.1 million dollars.
We call upon all our partners to get involved.
Meanwhile, thousands of Ukrainian children remain separated from their families and communities after having been unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred by Russia.
Accordingly, Canada has announced up to 6 million dollars to support Ukraine’s efforts to bring these children home and reintegrate them; and the implementation of new sanctions against eight individuals involved in the violation of Ukrainian children’s rights.
I should also like to take this opportunity to remind you of the Second International Conference on Returning Ukrainian Children, Detained Civilians, and Prisoners of War, which will take place in Toronto on 28 and 29 September 2026.
We look forward to extending a Canadian welcome to your Foreign Ministers and your high-ranking representatives.
Mister Chair,
Let me reiterate Canada’s condemnation, in the strongest possible terms, of the Russian Federation’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable aggression against Ukraine, which has been ongoing since 2014 and constitutes a violation of international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and runs counter to the Helsinki Final Act.
The Russian Federation is responsible for starting this war of aggression and for its devastating consequences.
We reaffirm our steadfast support for the security of our Allies subject to the Russian Federation’s destabilizing and escalatory actions, including hybrid threats and other malign activities, and reiterate our commitment to collective defence and transatlantic security through NATO, recalling that NATO is a defensive Alliance.
The OSCE Secretariat bears no responsibility for the content of this document PC.DEL/868/26 and circulates it without altering its content. The distribution by OSCE 18 September 2026 Conference Services of this document is without prejudice to OSCE decisions, as set out in documents agreed by OSCE participating States. Original: as delivered
STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR VÉRONIQUE PEPIN-HALLÉ UNDER AGENDA ITEM: The Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine 1577th MEETING OF THE PERMANENT COUNCIL 17 September 2026
Monsieur le Président, La semaine dernière, le Premier ministre du Canada, Mark Carney, a accueilli au Canada le président de l’Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, afin d’ouvrir un nouveau chapitre dans la relation déjà étroite et chaleureuse qui unit le Canada et l’Ukraine.
À cette occasion, les dirigeants ont signé deux déclarations établissant les bases d’un partenariat stratégique pour les générations à venir. - La Déclaration Canada-Ukraine sur un partenariat de 100 ans mettra l’accent sur l’innovation et la coopération à l’égard de la défense, de la croissance économique, du commerce et de la reconstruction, ainsi que sur les liens entre nos peuples, et; - La Déclaration commune sur le renforcement de la coopération en matière de défense et de sécurité entre l’Ukraine et le Canada;
Les dirigeants se sont engagés à finaliser cet accord de partenariat stratégique d’ici décembre 2026, et ont annoncé une série d’initiatives concrètes qui s’inscrivent dans cette vision à long terme, notamment : • 350 millions de dollars accordés par le Canada pour la livraison d’intercepteurs de défense aérienne essentiels dans le cadre du programme JUMPSTART; et, • Près de 23 millions de dollars accordés par le Canada afin de renforcer la détection et la prévention des menaces hybrides,
Le Premier ministre Carney et le Président Zelinskyy ont également souligné l’importance d’appuyer la résilience énergétique de l’Ukraine à l’approche d’un nouvel hiver qui risque d’être particulièrement difficile pour les civils ukrainiens. À cette fin, le Canada a annoncé plusieurs mesures, avec des prêts., enveloppe de financement et contributions de plus de 645 millions de dollars pour l’achat de gaz et de génératrices d’appoint, pour la reconstruction d’infrastructures essentielles, et autres appuis aux secteurs énergétiques.
En parallèle, a été annoncé une initiative Canada-Ukraine sur les minéraux critiques, qui favorisera la recherche conjointe, stimulera la reconstruction économique de l’Ukraine et contribuera au développement de sa capacité de production de minéraux critiques.
Toutefois, le partenariat entre le Canada et l’Ukraine tient également compte des profondes répercussions humaines et sociales de l’agression russe. Le Canada demeure conscient du lourd fardeau que cette guerre fait peser sur les citoyens, les familles et les communautés à travers le pays.
C’est dans cet esprit que le Canada dirigera la mise sur pied d’une initiative visant à soutenir les anciens combattants ukrainiens et leurs familles, dans le cadre de la mise en œuvre d’une stratégie nationale ukrainienne. Notre soutien comprendra un financement pouvant atteindre 40,1 millions de dollars.
Nous appelons tous nos partenaires à y participer.
Par ailleurs des milliers d’enfants ukrainiens demeurent séparés de leurs familles et de leurs communautés après avoir été illégalement déportés ou déplacés de force par la Russie.
À cette fin, le Canada a annoncé jusqu’à 6 millions de dollars pour soutenir les efforts de l’Ukraine visant à rapatrier et à réintégrer ces enfants; et la mise en œuvre de nouvelles sanctions à l’encontre de huit personnes impliquées dans des violations des droits des enfants ukrainiens
Je profite également de cette occasion pour rappeler la tenue de la deuxième Conférence internationale sur le retour des enfants ukrainiens, des civils détenus et des prisonniers de guerre, qui se déroulera à Toronto les 28 et 29 septembre 2026.
Nous nous réjouissons d’accueillir vos ministres des Affaires étrangères et vos hauts représentants au Canada. Mister Chair, Let me reiterate Canada’s condemnation, in the strongest possible terms, of the Russian Federation’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable aggression against Ukraine, which has been ongoing since 2014 and constitutes a violation of international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and runs counter to the Helsinki Final Act.
The Russian Federation is responsible for starting this war of aggression and for its devastating consequences.
We reaffirm our steadfast support for the security of our Allies subject to the Russian Federation’s destabilizing and escalatory actions, including hybrid threats and other malign activities, and reiterate our commitment to collective defence and transatlantic security through NATO, recalling that NATO is a defensive Alliance.