Deputy Minister Mariana Betsa took part in a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council as a special guest of the OSCE Chairpersonship of Finland.
While honoring the contribution of all nations in the defeat of Nazism in World War II, Mariana Betsa condemned Moscow's attempts to steal shared memory, appropriate the collective victory, and manipulate history for its criminal interests.
"It is the top of hypocrisy for a state actively waging a war of aggression to invoke the memory of World War II in pursuit of its current neo-imperial aims. By weaponizing the language of anti-Nazism, Russia seeks to justify its own war crimes and crimes against humanity," – the Ukrainian diplomat emphasized.
Recalling the brutal murder of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna, the intensifying missile terror against peaceful cities, the deportation of children, the holding of civilian hostages, and the mass executions of prisoners of war, the Deputy Minister stressed that the Russian army has committed—and continues to commit—atrocities in Ukraine on a scale unseen in Europe since World War II.
"Modern Ruscism mirrors the darkest features of 20th century – from the cult of leader to genocide and militarized propaganda. A Russian version of nonsense about “historical lands” and “one people” brings deaths and suffering to Ukraine every day. By killing the innocent, Moscow cultivates an aberrated ideology of “great victory” to mobilize more people for the war of aggression against Ukraine,” Mariana Betsa underlined.
The Ukrainian diplomat drew attention to the growing ties between Russia, North Korea, and Iran, which are based on a shared desire to challenge the existing international order and a total disregard for human life.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that despite diplomatic efforts led by the United States, Russia is only intensifying its missile terror against Ukraine that proves Moscow's insincerity regarding peaceful resolution.
"However, despite Russia’s atrocities, there are many ways to force Moscow into a just and lasting peace," Mariana Betsa stressed.
The Deputy Minister called for stronger sanctions against the aggressor state, reinforcement of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, provision of reliable security guarantees, and the acceleration of air defence system deliveries to Ukraine.
She also emphasized the importance of guaranteeing respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, as well as the country's inalienable right to choose its own future, including membership in alliances, which are fundamental principles of European security and sustainable peace.
“On this Day of Remembrance, we call on the OSCE participating States to redouble our joint efforts to defend the fundamental principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act and ensure that justice, accountability, and lasting peace prevail in Ukraine and beyond,” the Ukrainian diplomat stated.
Mariana Betsa also recalled the Nuremberg trials, calling for support of the Special Tribunal on Russian aggression to ensure accountability and restore justice.
In response, delegations of OSCE participating States reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and stressed their readiness to continue providing comprehensive assistance to restore a just peace in Ukraine and Europe.
During a meeting with OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre Director Kate Fearon, the parties discussed practical assistance to Ukraine in overcoming the consequences of Russia's war of aggression. Mariana Betsa expressed gratitude for the launch of a project to investigate crimes related to Ukrainian children who went missing under special circumstances.
While in Vienna, the Deputy Minister also held a separate meeting with the Ukrainian community and gave interviews to a number of foreign and Ukrainian media outlets