Ukrainian Foreign Minister Holds Talks with OSCE Leadership
On February 2, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba met in Kyiv with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, and OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid. The discussions focused on peace efforts, the battlefield situation, and Russia's war crimes. The parties also reviewed cooperation with the OSCE and the fate of the organization's illegally detained staff members.
This marked Ignazio Cassis's first visit to Ukraine in his capacity as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. During the talks, Foreign Minister Kuleba briefed the OSCE leadership on Russian war crimes, including strikes on civilian populations and attacks on energy infrastructure. He noted that the consequences of these attacks have resulted in power, heating, and water supply outages for people amid freezing winter conditions.
Future Cooperation with the OSCE
Dmytro Kuleba confirmed Ukraine's readiness to develop its cooperation with the OSCE. The discussions also covered the OSCE's potential role in the post-war period, particularly in advancing peace for Ukraine and ensuring regional stability. Participants addressed the issue of three OSCE staff members – Vadim Golda, Maksym Petrov, and Dmytro Shabanov – who are being held illegally in Russia.
"This is a very important visit by Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis – his first in his role as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. It is a visit of solidarity. We must also be prepared for the post-war period within international organizations. This is one of the topics we discussed today," stated Dmytro Kuleba.
The meeting took place against a backdrop of growing international attention on the situation in Ukraine and its efforts to counter Russian aggression. The emphasis on war crimes and the humanitarian consequences of attacks underscores the critical importance of international support for Ukraine and the necessity of a robust response from the global community. Given the OSCE's mandate to promote peace and stability, discussions on the post-war period are vital for the future of Ukraine and the wider region.