PCOEW11417 Translation by OSCE Language Services The OSCE Secretariat bears no responsibility for the content of this document PC.DEL/1352/25 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 1544th MEETING OF THE OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL 27 November 2025 The Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine Mr. Chairperson, Canada supports all ongoing efforts aimed at achieving a negotiated settlement for a just and lasting peace. However, Russia’s recent actions in Ukraine cast serious doubts on the sincerity of its commitment to peace. On 25 November, Russia launched large-scale drone and missile strikes on Kyiv, killing six people and injuring 13 others. According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy, these strikes disrupted electricity supplies to more than 102,000 people in five regions. In the eastern regions of Ukraine, reports confirm further deadly strikes, which left at least six people dead and more than 36 injured, including children. In the Dnipropetrovsk region alone, 60,000 energy customers were left without electricity. These strikes against civilian energy infrastructure are part of a sustained campaign. Russia has made it clear, in this very room, that these strikes will continue and that they will be intense. Systematic and widespread strikes against energy infrastructure, when these facilities are not military objectives, are contrary to the principles of distinction and proportionality under international humanitarian law. Mister Chair, For over three years, Russia has sought to achieve the objectives of its so-called “special military operation,” but Ukraine has prevented those objectives from being realized. The Kremlin is attempting to force capitulation by escalating military pressure on civilians. By striking homes and facilities that keep people warm in winter, by making daily life deadly, and by refusing to engage sincerely in diplomatic efforts to end its war of aggression. We have had numerous examples of Russia’s lack of flexibility at the negotiating table – despite US-led diplomatic efforts to reach a peace agreement.
- 2 - PC.DEL/1352/25 18 December 2025 Indeed, Russia has confirmed, in this room, its intent to continue until its military objectives are met. It is supported by Iran and North Korea, with China acting as a decisive enabler too. It will not stop unless compelled to do so. Ukraine continues to stand strong. We must match that strength with resolve. Canada remains, as from day one, firmly behind Ukraine – with every form of support we can provide. And we will continue to do so. It is Russia that must be pressured to stop the killing. It is Russia that must be pressured to engage with negotiations in good faith. It is Russia that must abandon its illegal claims to territories which are not its own. Mister Chair, As Prime Minister Carney affirmed at the G20 Summit last weekend, Canada welcomes ongoing efforts to secure a negotiated settlement and stands ready to contribute to their success, in close collaboration with partners. In this regard, Ukraine must be at the centre of any negotiations. We also thank Türkiye and Switzerland for offering their good offices to advance this process. Kyiv has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to pursue peace. It wants and needs peace. Russia has demonstrated the opposite: a consistent failure to uphold its international commitments, including within the OSCE framework. Russia has a history of breaking agreements. It has shown time and time again that it will not respect its OSCE commitments. The Kremlin isn’t aiming to end the fighting. It’s trying to reshape Europe’s borders to suit its own interests. Finally, Mister Chair, Let me reiterate that Prime Minister Mark Carney has reaffirmed Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine and underscored on multiple occasions that any settlement must include Ukraine’s involvement, respect Ukraine’s core interests, and provide security guarantees. Ukraine has demonstrated repeatedly that its volya, its indomitable will, shall prevail. And that Canada is committed to working with Ukraine and Allies to reach a just and lasting peace. Thank you, Mister Chair.
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 1544 th MEETING OF THE PERMANENT COUNCIL 27 November 2025 Monsieur le Président, Le Canada appuie tout effort visant à parvenir à un règlement négocié pour une paix juste et durable toujours en cours. Toutefois, les actions récentes de la Russie en Ukraine jettent de sérieux doutes quant à l’intégrité de son engagement en faveur de la paix. Le 25 novembre, la Russie a lancé des frappes à grande échelle à l'aide de drones et de missiles sur Kyiv, tuant six personnes et en blessant treize autres. Selon le ministère ukrainien de l'Énergie, ces frappes ont perturbé l'approvisionnement en électricité de plus de 102 000 personnes dans cinq régions. Dans les oblasts de l'est de l'Ukraine, des rapports confirment d'autres frappes meurtrières, qui ont fait au moins six morts et plus de trente-six blessés, dont des enfants. Dans le seul oblast de Dnipropetrovsk, 60 000 consommateurs se sont retrouvés sans électricité. Ces frappes contre les infrastructures énergétiques civiles s'inscrivent dans le cadre d'une campagne soutenue. La Russie a clairement indiqué, dans cette même salle, que ces frappes se poursuivraient, et avec intensité. Les frappes systématiques et généralisées contre les infrastructures énergétiques, lorsqu’elles ne sont pas des objectifs militaires, sont contraires aux principes de distinction et de proportionnalité prévus par le droit international humanitaire. Mister Chair, For over three years, Russia has sought to achieve the objectives of its so-called “special military operation,” but Ukraine has prevented those objectives from being realized. The Kremlin is attempting to force capitulation by escalating military pressure on civilians. By striking homes and facilities that keep people warm in winter, by making daily life deadly, and by refusing to engage sincerely in diplomatic efforts to end its war of aggression. We have had numerous examples of Russia’s lack of flexibility at the negotiating table –despite US-led diplomatic efforts to reach a peace agreement. Indeed, Russia has confirmed, in this room, its intent to continue until its military objectives are met. It is supported by Iran and North Korea, with China acting as a decisive enabler too. It will not stop unless compelled to do so. 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/1352/25 18 December 2025 Original: as delivered
Ukraine continues to stand strong. We must match that strength with resolve. Canada remains, as from day one, firmly behind Ukraine—with every form of support we can provide. And we will continue to do so. It is Russia that must be pressured to stop the killing. It is Russia that must be pressured to engage with negotiations in good faith.It is Russia that must abandon its illegal claims to territories which are not its own. Mister Chair, As Prime Minister Carney affirmed at the G20 Summit last weekend, Canada welcomes ongoing efforts to secure a negotiated settlement and stands ready to contribute to their success, in close collaboration with partners. In this regard, Ukraine must be at the centre of any negotiations. We also thank Türkiye and Switzerland for offering their good offices to advance this process. Kyiv has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to pursue peace. It wants and needs peace. Russia has demonstrated the opposite: a consistent failure to uphold its international commitments, including within the OSCE framework. Russia has a history of breaking agreements. It has shown time and time again that it will not respect its OSCE commitments. The Kremlin isn’t aiming to end the fighting. It’s trying to reshape Europe’s borders to suit its own interests. Finally, Mister Chair, Let me reiterate that Prime Minister Mark Carney has reaffirmed Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine and underscored on multiple occasions that any settlement must include Ukraine’s involvement, respect Ukraine’s core interests, and provide security guarantees. Ukraine has demonstrated repeatedly that its volya, its indomitable will, shall prevail. And that Canada is committed to working with Ukraine and Allies to reach a just and lasting peace. Thank you, Mister Chair.