Once again, the EU condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia’s unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, which is a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, and OSCE core principles and commitments. We urge the aggressor, Russia, to immediately stop its war of aggression, and to completely and unconditionally withdraw all its forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.
There can be no impunity for war crimes, crimes against humanity and other crimes committed in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, including the crime of aggression. All those responsible must and will be held accountable.
The EU remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to providing continued multifaceted support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed, based on Ukraine’s urgent needs.
Last week, the Council of the EU adopted a financial assistance package for Ukraine, including an exceptional macro-financial assistance loan of up to €18 billion and a loan cooperation mechanism that will support Ukraine in repaying up to €45 billion in loans provided by the EU and G7 partners. This package will support Ukraine in its fight for freedom against Russian aggression and in its reconstruction efforts.
The full-scale invasion of Ukraine is an attack on a free and democratic Europe. The EU will stand by Ukraine as it fights to retain its independence and sovereignty and regain its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Through its defensive operations to diminish Russia’s capacity to wage its war of aggression, Ukraine is exercising its inherent right to self-defence, in full accordance with international law and as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter.
The EU reiterates its firm support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter, and in line with the key principles and objectives of Ukraine’s Peace Formula, with full respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We also stress that no initiative about Ukraine can be taken without Ukraine. The EU will remain closely involved in the matter and further joint international efforts.
The EU condemns all futile attempts by Russia to forcibly and illegally integrate or annex parts of Ukraine’s territory. We reiterate that any such attempts remain futile and constitute a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, and all states have an obligation under international law to not recognise such annexations. Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Luhansk, as well as Crimea are Ukraine.
We will continue to demand the immediate release by Russia of all individuals unlawfully deprived of their liberty, including the three arbitrarily detained OSCE officials, and their safe return to their Ukrainian families and communities.
The EU strongly condemns the persistent shelling by Russia of Ukraine’s critical energy and civilian infrastructure. An air attack on eastern Ukraine on 24 October killed at least six people and wounded at least ten. Yet another air attack on Kyiv on 25 October marked the 15th such assault in October alone. Continuous attacks on Ukraine’s grain and port facilities have disrupted grain exports worldwide, aggravating global food insecurity. We remind Russia that attacks directed against civilians and civilian objects, as well as indiscriminate attacks, are clear violations of international humanitarian law and constitute war crimes.
The EU also reiterates its condemnation of repeated violations of the airspace of some EU Member States, such as the recent drone incident over Romania on 23 October. Russia must immediately cease these dangerous and irresponsible acts.
The EU also remains deeply concerned about the fate of all Ukrainian children unlawfully transferred by Russia within the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine or unlawfully deported to Russia and Belarus. We condemn the military re-education and indoctrination, as well as the violation of these children’s rights to their Ukrainian nationality, identity, name and family relations by Russia, as documented by the May 2023 Moscow Mechanism report and other international monitoring mechanisms. The EU reiterates its urgent call on Russia and Belarus to immediately ensure their safe return to Ukraine.
We recall the six arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court, including against President Putin for the war crime of the unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children. All States Parties to the Rome Statute are under the obligation to execute arrest warrants issued by the ICC.
The EU is deeply alarmed by reports that the DPRK is sending troops to participate in Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. This would constitute a serious breach of international law, including the most fundamental principles of the UN Charter. It would be a unilateral hostile act by the DPRK and a significant escalation of its involvement in Russia’s illegal war with serious consequences for European and global peace and security. We call on Russia and the DPRK to cease these actions immediately. Russia’s deepening military cooperation with the DPRK sends a clear message: despite its stated readiness to negotiate, Russia is not sincerely interested in a just, comprehensive and lasting peace. On the contrary, Russia is escalating and desperately seeking any help for its war, including from actors that are severely disrupting global peace and security.
The EU reiterates its strong condemnation of third countries’ continued support for Russia’s war of aggression and continues to urge them to cease all assistance. This includes not only direct military support but also the provision of dual-use goods and sensitive items that sustain Russia’s military industrial base.
The Candidate Countries NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, ALBANIA*, UKRAINE, the REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA*, and GEORGIA, the EFTA countries ICELAND, LIECHTENSTEIN and NORWAY, members of the European Economic Area, as well as ANDORRA and MONACO align themselves with this statement.
*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process