Denmark on behalf of 26 EU-members: Statement on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

As delivered at the 1542nd meeting of The Permanent Council to the OSCE, Vienna, 13 November.

  1. The European Union strongly condemns the Russian Federation’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and reaffirms its continued and 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.

  2. We condemn the Russian continued missile and drone strikes on Ukraine, targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings and civilian energy assets, aiming at destabilising and breaking the resilience of Ukrainians ahead of winter. In one of the largest Russian aerial attacks on energy infrastructure on the night of November 8, with 450 drones and 45 missiles, three people were killed and 13 wounded when a drone hit an apartment building in Dnipro, and another person was killed in the Kharkiv region. Three were killed in the south-eastern Zaporizhzhia region. We express our sincere condolences to the families of the victims. Russia’s attacks caused massive power blackouts in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Poltava and Donetsk. Russia once again targeted substations critical for nuclear safety and security. 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.

  3. 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. The EU supports a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law. The peace negotiations should be guided by the principles set out on 6 March 2025.

  4. The EU will continue to provide, in coordination with like-minded partners and allies, comprehensive political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people. Ahead of winter, the EU and its Member States, in cooperation with partners, will intensify the provision of humanitarian and civil protection assistance to Ukraine.

  5. We remain 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.

  6. 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.

  7. The EU is also determined to maintain and increase its pressure on Russia to stop its brutal war of aggression, including through further sanctions. Further coordination with G7 partners on sanctions and reinforcing the anti-circumvention measures is particularly important.

  8. We call for further measures to disrupt the operation of Russia’s shadow fleet, in particular for effectively addressing the significant environmental and security risks that the shadow fleet poses. Enhancing the enforcement of environmental and maritime safety standards and strengthening cooperation with flag states are key for advancing towards this objective.
  9. The EU strongly condemns the persistent and provocative actions against the EU and its Member States. We will not tolerate any hybrid campaigns directed against us.

  10. 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.

  11. We reiterate that a Ukraine capable of defending itself effectively is an integral part of any future security guarantees. 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, based on their respective competences and capabilities and in line with international law. Russia cannot have a veto on Ukraine’s path to the European Union and NATO.

  12. We call on Russia to comply with the international law and condemn its 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.