Russia is using sabotage, arson and covert operations in European countries to undermine their security and weaken their ability to support Ukraine in its defensive war against Russian aggression.
This was stated by Yuriy Vitrenko, Ukraine's Permanent Representative to International Organisations in Vienna, during a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on Thursday.
"Russia is already undermining European security from within, using sabotage, arson and covert operations against European states. The recently uncovered Russian sabotage network in Romania is another striking example of such activities," the diplomat said.
Vitrenko stressed that Russia's actions cannot be viewed separately from its aggression against Ukraine.
Referring to remarks by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, he noted that Moscow's methods may differ, but its objective remains unchanged: to weaken Europe's ability to defend itself and support Ukraine.
"Russia's war against Ukraine and its efforts to destabilise European states are interconnected manifestations of the same challenge to European security and the principles underpinning the international order," the Permanent Representative emphasised.
He also drew attention to Russian attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea, violations of airspace and strikes against international border crossing points.
Vitrenko separately highlighted the intensification of Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure as winter approaches. According to him, Ukraine's energy facilities have been targeted daily since mid-summer, with the total number of attacks already exceeding 2,000.
The head of Ukraine's mission to the OSCE also recalled the findings of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, which concluded that Russia's large-scale and systematic attacks on energy infrastructure, causing severe suffering among civilians, constitute crimes against humanity.
"Of fundamental importance is the Commission's conclusion that these attacks were deliberate and formed part of the Russian Federation's state policy. The aim of this policy is to deprive civilians of essential energy supplies and inflict suffering upon them," Vitrenko stressed.
At the same time, the diplomat pointed to the agreement on a humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky, reached with the support of US First Lady Melania Trump, as evidence that concrete results can be achieved when political will and international support are present.
He called on the international community to take decisive action to end Russian aggression and establish a just and lasting peace in accordance with international law.
