OSCE PA

I am deeply grateful to Senator Roger Wicker for his warm congratulations and kind wishes as I assume the Presidency of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. But today, I would like to express my gratitude to Senator Wicker in a much more personal way. I still remember our very first meeting, when we discovered that we shared a particular affection for the wonderful film Charlie Wilson’s War, starring the legendary Tom Hanks and telling the extraordinary story of an equally legendary American congressman. And I remember how genuinely amazed I was to learn that Senator Wicker had personally known Charlie Wilson, representative of Democratic Party, by the way - and had even had the privilege of serving the American people alongside him. For me, that moment was about much more than a shared appreciation of a great movie. It was about discovering a living connection to a remarkable tradition of American political courage. The Republican Party has a proud and enduring tradition of standing for freedom and confronting tyranny. From Abraham Lincoln to Ronald Reagan, generations of Republican leaders have understood that liberty is never guaranteed - and that defending it sometimes demands extraordinary courage, determination, and sacrifice. And American history teaches us another powerful lesson: when Republicans and Democrats have stood together in defense of freedom, when they have united their strength and led the democratic world with conviction, even the most formidable tyrannies have ultimately fallen. Those days are not behind us. This was true yesterday. It is true today. And I firmly believe it will remain true tomorrow. Especially now, when the free world is once again called upon to defend the great promise articulated by one of the greatest Republicans in American history - President Abraham Lincoln: “Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” These are not merely words engraved in history. They are a solemn obligation entrusted to every generation that believes in freedom. Because the very essence of liberty lies in the right of every human being, and every nation, to determine their own destiny - free from tyranny, oppression, and the dictates of those who believe that might makes right. Today, Ukraine is fighting for precisely these principles. And in defending them, we are defending something far greater than our own country. Dear Senator Wicker, thank you for your friendship, your steadfast support for Ukraine, and your unwavering commitment to the values that have made America a beacon of freedom for generations. I am proud to stand alongside you in this struggle. And I believe, with all my heart, that when free people stand together, tyranny does not have the final word. Freedom does.

Statement by the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on Developments in Poland 31 October 2026 I am following with concern the recent developments surrounding the Constitutional Tribunal of the Republic of Poland. Poland is a valued member of the OSCE community, a country with a proud democratic tradition, and a nation whose commitment to freedom and solidarity has contributed enormously to the democratic transformation of Europe. The current tensions concern fundamental questions of constitutional governance, judicial independence, and the rule of law. These are not merely domestic political issues. They touch upon the democratic principles and commitments that all OSCE participating States have undertaken to uphold. At the same time, I firmly believe that the future of Poland’s democratic institutions must be determined by the Polish people and their legitimate constitutional authorities, through peaceful, lawful, and democratic processes. Political disagreements, however profound, must never undermine respect for democratic institutions, the independence of the judiciary, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens. I therefore encourage all parties concerned to exercise restraint, refrain from actions or rhetoric that could further escalate tensions, and engage in constructive dialogue guided by the Polish Constitution, the rule of law, and Poland’s international commitments. Democracy does not require the absence of political disagreements. It requires a shared commitment to resolving them within the framework of democratic institutions and the law. As President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, I have full confidence in the strength of Polish society, its democratic traditions, and its capacity to overcome the present challenges through mutual respect, responsibility, and dialogue. Poland’s unity around the fundamental principles of democracy and the rule of law is important not only for its own citizens, but also for the wider European community at a time when our common security and democratic resilience face profound challenges. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly stands ready to support constructive parliamentary dialogue, within its mandate and in full respect of Poland’s sovereignty and democratic institutions. Mykyta Poturaiev President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

Oleshky. A Victory of Humanity Over Cruelty For months, the people of Oleshky, a Ukrainian town under Russian occupation, have been trapped in a humanitarian catastrophe. Deprived of adequate food, clean water, medicine, and the basic necessities of life, they were left struggling to survive. This suffering was not inevitable. It was the consequence of Russia’s occupation, the destruction brought by its war, and the obstruction of humanitarian access. Today, as we welcome the successful rescue of our fellow citizens, I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who helped make it possible. To First Lady of the United States Melania Trump, whose personal engagement and diplomatic efforts helped secure the humanitarian arrangements. To His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, whose moral authority and personal appeals helped bring international attention and action to this tragedy. To the Members of the European Parliament, and especially to Vice-President Pina Picierno, whose extraordinary act of personal solidarity - undertaking a hunger strike to draw attention to the suffering of the people of Oleshky - demonstrated that political leadership is measured not only by words, but also by the courage to act. To the governments and representatives of democratic nations, to Ukrainian and international journalists, opinion leaders, volunteers, and civil society activists who refused to let this tragedy disappear from the world’s attention. Your voices, your determination, and your humanity helped save lives. And, of course, to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose personal determination and persistent efforts to bring our people home have never wavered. My special gratitude goes to Ukraine’s Human Rights Commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets. His personal courage, composure, and perseverance throughout this extraordinarily difficult humanitarian mission deserve our deepest respect. He demonstrated what public service truly means: accepting personal risks when human lives are at stake. I also want to pay tribute to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, who, even under extraordinarily dangerous conditions, found remarkable ways to deliver food and essential supplies to civilians trapped in Oleshky. Their ingenuity, dedication, and humanity helped keep hope alive. To our fellow Ukrainians returning from Oleshky: welcome home. Ukraine has been waiting for you. You were never forgotten. And you never will be. But our relief cannot erase our sorrow. We mourn those who did not survive the inhuman suffering inflicted upon this town. We owe them remembrance, truth, and justice. And we remain deeply concerned about those who, for various reasons, have decided to stay in Oleshky under Russian occupation. They must not be forgotten. Their safety, dignity, and fundamental rights must remain under close international scrutiny. As President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, I will continue to draw international attention to their situation and to the need for sustained humanitarian access and protection. Oleshky reminds us of something fundamental. International solidarity is not an abstract diplomatic principle. It can mean food reaching a starving family. Medicine reaching an elderly person. A safe journey home for someone who had almost lost hope. When humanity acts together, lives can be saved - even in the darkest circumstances. And that is why we must never stop trying. International solidarity is measured not only by the declarations we adopt, but by the lives we manage to save. Oleshky is Ukraine. And every Ukrainian life matters.