On October 27, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mariana Betsa held a meeting with Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Climate and Security Kerstin Stendahl.

Deputy Minister acknowledged the efforts of the Finnish Chairpersonship to keep the issue of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine as a priority on the OSCE agenda. “Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine remains the main source of threats to security and stability in Europe and beyond. We are grateful to the Finnish Chairpersonship for giving due attention throughout 2025 to the devastating environmental consequences of the Russian aggression, which have a serious impact on the security of the entire OSCE region”, - underlined Mariana Betsa.

Deputy Minister stressed the importance of holding Russia accountable for all crimes committed, including environmental ones. The diplomat emphasized that the longer Russia continues its aggressive war, the more transboundary environmental consequences the states across the entire OSCE region will have to deal with.

Kerstin Stendahl, in turn, underscored the importance of creating international legal mechanisms to hold states accountable for damage caused to the environment and reaffirmed Finland’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s environmental rehabilitation.

The interlocutors also discussed the importance of engaging the OSCE's practical assistance in assessing the environmental damage caused by the war and stressed the importance of the OSCE's continued efforts with regard to documenting all of Russia's crimes in Ukraine, including environmental ones.