Madam Chair, in addition to holding each other to account against OSCE principles, this Forum is also mandated to discuss risk reduction.
Last week, the Russian delegation asked what measures its ‘opponents’ are ready to take to stop the escalation of potential military incidents into a high-stakes conflict.
Firstly, we assume the question was directed at NATO, given the wider context of their question. We repeat that NATO is a defensive alliance. Its purpose is to protect. We do not see Russia as an ‘opponent’.
We do, however, agree on the need to prevent unintended escalation. That is why, since the Opening Session of the FSC, the UK has been asking Russia to clarify responsibility for the airspace violations observed in Poland on 9 September. We have not received direct answers to our questions. The Russian delegation has said that the Russian military has no plans to attack Poland but did not deny that Russian drones launched from Russia had flown into NATO airspace. Or what Russia would do to prevent recurrence. So, in the spirit of our Forum’s mandate on risk reduction, we ask our three questions again:
Firstly, if the incursions are unintentional, what steps is Russia taking to prevent recurrence?
Secondly, if they were deliberate, what is Russia’s intent?
Thirdly, will Russia commit to preventing future incursions including assuring NATO members that such violations will cease?
