- The EU reaffirms its strong condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as its unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. We strongly denounce the recent deliberate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, which have caused immense suffering and destruction. We remind Russia that intentionally directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects, as well as indiscriminate attacks, constitute flagrant violations of international humanitarian law and amount to war crimes. On 27 September, in a harrowing overnight attack, Russia unleashed nearly 600 drones and and more than 40 cruise missiles that ravaged Kyiv and multiple other regions of Ukraine, leaving shattered homes, destroyed infrastructure, including hospitals and energy infrastructure. At least 4 people were reported dead, including a 12-year-old girl, while several others were wounded. On 30 September, a Russian overnight drone strike killed a couple and their two young children in Sumy region. We further strongly condemn attacks against critical energy infrastructure in Ukraine.
- The EU reiterates the call on Russia to cease its war of aggression, respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and agree to a full, unconditional and comprehensive ceasefire as a path to meaningful peace negotiations. While Ukraine remains committed to peace, Russia continues its war of aggression. Ukraine exercises its inherent right to self-defence in full accordance with international law and as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter. In coordination with like-minded partners and allies, we will continue to provide multifaceted support, including political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people.
- We reaffirm EU’s commitment to ensuring that those responsible for war crimes and other most serious crimes committed in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine are fully held accountable. All victims deserve justice, reparation and guarantees of non-repetition. OSCE, through ODIHR and Human Dimension Mechanisms, can bring a contribution to collection and analysis of facts with a view to present them to accountability mechanisms. We also thank civil society for its efforts in this regard.
- The EU remains extremely concerned about the treatment of the prisoners of war. The recent report under the Moscow Mechanism shows a deeply alarming picture of the Russian Federation’s engagement in widespread and systematic violations of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law in its treatment of Ukrainian POWs. According to the report, at least 13,500 members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been detained since February 2022. Of these, approximately 169 have died in captivity, nearly 6,800 have been released and repatriated, and an estimated 6,300 remain in detention.
- Additionally, the latest OHCHR report on the treatment of civilians deprived of their liberty in the context of Russia’s armed attack against Ukraine highlights that over 15,000 Ukrainian civilians have been detained since 2022, with around 1,800 still confirmed in captivity. 92% of the former detainees that had been interviewed reported torture or ill-treatment. At least 90 civilians were extrajudicially executed, while 38 died in custody. As stated in the report, the actual number is likely to be significantly higher. The report concludes that the Russian Federation has subjected Ukrainian civilian detainees to serious violations of IHL and IHRL.
- We will also continue to demand the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of war and civilians arbitrarily detained in Russia, including the three OSCE officials, Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov and Dmytro Shabanov, as well as the safe and prompt return of all forcibly transferred and deported Ukrainian children.
- We reiterate our call on Russia to comply with international law, and that any attempts to illegally integrate or annex parts of another state’s territory constitute a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, as well as OSCE core principles and commitments. All states have an obligation under international law to not recognise such annexations. Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Luhansk, as well as Crimea are Ukraine.
- As stated in previous meetings, we continue to condemn in the strongest terms the unacceptable violations of the airspace of EU Member States by Russia, as part of a serious escalation.
- The EU demands a just and lasting peace based on international law, reaffirming Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be laid out without Ukraine nor can decisions affecting the security of Europe be taken without Europe’s participation. Meaningful negotiations require a full, unconditional and verifiable ceasefire. We reiterate that any credible approach to achieving peace must necessarily include concrete humanitarian measures, such as the exchange of prisoners of war and the return of all civilian detainees and deported children. The EU and its Member States are ready to contribute to security guarantees, underlining that Ukraine must be able to defend itself, cooperate with third countries, and freely pursue its path to the EU and NATO.
- The attack against Kyiv came hours after the speech of S. Lavrov at UN GA session, where he had underlined Russia‘s commitment to UN Charter and its principles, and to peace. By continuing the aggression, Russia is showing the full extent of its contempt for diplomacy and international law. So we're increasing the pressure. We will raise the cost for Moscow further by ramping up sanctions significantly on Russia and its enablers. We will also work with our international partners to put pressure on Russia to end this war. Russia must demonstrate genuine political will to end its war of aggression and engage in constructive and meaningful negotiations.
- We condemn the continued support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine provided by third countries, such as the DPRK, Belarus, Iran, and actors and entities therein. We urge all countries to cease all assistance, including the provision of dual-use goods and sensitive items that sustain Russia’s military industrial base. In this vein, and as stated by the G7 Foreign Ministers and the EU High Representative, China is also a decisive enabler of Russia’s war.