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 ou

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