Thank you, Chair,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the following EU Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
The following participating States have joined the Statement:
Mr. Chair,
1. Russia has no intention of ending its war of aggression and escalates its attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure. Its strikes on several regions of Ukraine on March 20 killed at least 7 civilians and injured many others. On March 24, Russia launched another massive overnight attack with over 390 drones and 34 missiles that hit 11 regions, killing at least 4 civilians and injuring at least 12. Over 400 drone strikes were further fired during daytime, causing multiple civilian casualties and massive damage across several regions in Ukraine. Residential buildings, a maternity hospital, a hotel, industrial facilities, passengers trains and railway infrastructure were hit. The UNESCO World Heritage site in Lviv was damaged. A Russian drone also struck a "Proliska" humanitarian mission evacuation vehicle, killing 2 women and injuring other evacuees. We strongly condemn these attacks and demand accountability for those responsible. Intentionally directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects, as well as deliberately targeting humanitarian workers and assets constitute violations of international humanitarian law and amount to war crimes. Cultural property is protected under the 1954 Hague Convention and the 1972 World Heritage Convention.
2. As stated on numerous occasions, Russia’s war of aggression has wider regional and global consequences. We remain gravely concerned about the acute environmental impact in Ukraine and across the wider region. We strongly condemn the recent Russian strike on Ukraine's Novodnistrovsk Hydropower Plant which led to unprecedented pollution of the Nistru/Dniester river and massive disruption of access to safe drinking water in the Republic of Moldova. Authorities since then declared a fifteen-day environmental alert and the EU Member States are sending emergency aid to the Republic of Moldova. In addition, Russian strikes on March 24 disconnected Republic of Moldova’s key power link with Europe, Isaccea-Vulcanesti, putting at risk the energy security of the country.
3. On March 20, Russia also attacked port and industrial infrastructure facilities in the Odesa region. Two foreign-flagged commercial vessels loaded with grain were hit. Administrative buildings, a grain bunker and equipment were also damaged. Since January 2026, more than 180 Russian strikes have hit Odesa and Chornomorsk port infrastructure, up from approximately 150 in all of 2025. As the ports of the Odesa region handle around 90% of Ukrainian grain, oilseed, and processed product exports, repeated damage to terminals and storages inflates freight and insurance premiums and forces rerouting, impacting grain export planning and global price.
Mr. Chair,
4. The European Union 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. Since the start of Russia's war of aggression, the European Union and its Member States have provided €194.9 billion in support for Ukraine and its people.
5. We welcome the ongoing diplomatic efforts to bring the war to an end and fully support Ukraine in the negotiations. We urge Russia to agree to a full, unconditional and immediate ceasefire and engage in meaningful negotiations towards a just and lasting peace. For peace to be just and lasting, respect for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity is the cornerstone. Borders must not be changed by force, the aggressor cannot be rewarded and Ukraine’s long-term security and ability to defend itself must be guaranteed.
6. The EU and its Member States are prepared to contribute to robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine, based on their respective competences and capabilities and in line with international law, in order to prevent renewed aggression by Russia. These include supporting Ukraine’s ability to deter aggression and defend itself effectively.
7. Ensuring accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, as well as for all crimes committed in connection with Russia`s war of aggression, remains paramount for achieving the just and lasting peace Ukraine deserves. The OSCE plays and will continue to play a role in view of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
8. We restate 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 immediate, unconditional, and safe return of all Ukrainian children unlawfully deported to the Russian Federation or forcibly transferred within the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
Mr. Chair,
9. The European Union and its Member States will continue to actively participate in peace efforts, in accordance with the European Union’s aim to promote peace, as enshrined in the Treaties. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. The European Union will decide on matters of its competence or affecting its security. We will also maintain and increase pressure on Russia, so that it ceases its aggression and treats peace negotiations seriously.
10. We urge all countries to immediately cease any assistance to Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine, whether direct or indirect, and notably through the provision of dual-use goods and components. In particular, we strongly condemn the deployment of the DPRK’s military forces in the war against Ukraine as well as the continued military support provided by Iran, Belarus and the DPRK, among others.
Mr. Chair,
11. We also urge Russia to refrain from further breaches of the national airspace of EU Member States. On March 18, Russia, once again, violated Estonian airspace with one of its fighter jets risking a serious escalation. We stand in solidarity with Estonia and all other EU Member States that continue to be provoked and threatened by Russia.