- The European Union strongly condemns the Russian Federation’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its repercussions for European and global security in a changing environment constitute an existential challenge for the European Union.
- As winter approaches, Russian forces have continued attacking Ukraine with missiles and drones, resulting in civilian casualties and damage. The European Union strongly condemns the recent Russian strikes on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, which killed at least three civilians and injured more than thirty, including several children. The attacks destroyed two residential high-rises and are part of Russia’s intensified campaign against civilian areas and energy infrastructure ahead of winter. Seven people, including two children, were hospitalized. Intentionally directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects, as well as indiscriminate attacks, constitute gross violations of international humanitarian law and amount to war crimes.
- Among the latest civilian victims were also the Ukrainian journalist Olena Hramova and camera operator Yevhen Karmazin, who were killed in a Russian drone strike on Kramatorsk, while correspondent Oleksandr Kolychiev suffered shrapnel wounds. This is another tragic reminder of the risks faced by journalists and media actors while reporting on the war.
- Last week’s Russian attack on a kindergarten in Khakhiv shows the devastating impact of the war on children and their access to education.
- The EU calls on Russia to immediately end its war of aggression, withdraw all its forces from Ukraine, and commit to a full, unconditional and comprehensive ceasefire as a basis for genuine peace negotiations. 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 are working together with our partners to mobilize all efforts to urgently help address immediate needs following the attacks and strengthen Ukraine’s preparedness for winter. Our firm support has been reinforced during recent visits of EU officials to Kyiv.
- The EU remains determined to ensure full accountability for war crimes and other serious violations committed in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as to ensure victims’ rights to justice, reparation and guarantees of non-repetition. We reiterate our demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of war and civilians arbitrarily detained by Russia, including the three OSCE officials, Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov and Dmytro Shabanov, as well as for the safe and prompt return of all forcibly transferred and deported Ukrainian children.
- We condemn Russia’s ongoing attempts to illegally integrate or annex parts of Ukraine’s territory, in blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, as well as OSCE core principles and commitments. Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea are — and will remain — Ukraine. All states have an obligation under international law not to recognise such annexations.
- We stand by Lithuania in the face of Russia’s and Belarus’ repeated violations of its sovereign airspace, in blatant breach of international law and as part of dangerous hybrid activities. The EU and its Member States hold Belarusian authorities responsible for not preventing the recurring and increasingly frequent incursions into Lithuanian airspace and we urge the Belarusian authorities to take immediate action to prevent these and comply with its international obligations and OSCE commitments.
- 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 both military and dual-use goods and other 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.
- We are determined to maintain and increase the cost for Moscow by ramping up sanctions significantly on Russia and its enablers. We will work with our international partners to put pressure on Russia to end this war. The EU adopted a new package of sanctions targeting key sectors which fuel Russia’s war, including energy, finance and the military industrial complex, as well as measures against those responsible for the deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children.
- The European Union and its Member States will continue to work, together with international partners, for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, based on international law. The path to peace 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 comprehensive ceasefire. We reiterate that any credible approach to achieving peace must necessarily include concrete humanitarian measures. The European Union and Member States are ready to contribute to robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine, in particular by supporting Ukraine’s ability to deter aggression and defend itself effectively. A Ukraine capable of defending itself effectively is an integral part of any future security guarantees. Russia cannot have a veto on Ukraine’s path to the European Union and NATO.