OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani, who is visiting Kyiv on Monday, called Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine the most pressing challenge that needs to be tackled.

Osmani said, at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, he came to Kyiv to confirm his unwavering support for the people of Ukraine.

The OSCE Chairman said he was inspired by the Ukrainian people's resilience and expressed confidence that Ukraine will win. Osmani also called on Russia to stop this war, withdraw its troops from Ukraine, reaffirm its commitment to the principles and values of the OSCE and return to diplomacy. While the whole world is witnessing conflicts, unrest, and humanitarian crises, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is the most pressing challenge we must addressed, he said.

Osmani stressed that the continuation of the war not only destroys life in Ukraine, but also creates a state of instability throughout the OSCE region and beyond, and this must stop.

He also said the OSCE, as a recognized center for joint security, has also been seriously damaged. There are signals that some would like to see the OSCE's hands tied in order to question its relevance and functioning. Osmani said that the organization is showing resilience to various problems and challenges.

At the same time, he said, there are several critical issues that, if not addressed urgently, could disrupt the core functions of the OSCE, which could undermine the OSCE's core mission to protect people. Osmani called on all OSCE member states to maintain their commitment to the organization and its values.