HRC61: Joint Statement of the Group of Friends of Accountability Following the Aggression Against Ukraine
Ministerial Side Event: WHEN CIVILIANS BECOME THE TARGET: RUSSIA’S WAR ON LIVES AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN UKRAINE
Delivered by H.E. Mr. Mihai Popşoi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova
24 February 2026
Ministers, Vice-Ministers, Colleagues,
I am pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of 44 States united in the ‘Group of Friends of Accountability following the aggression against Ukraine.’
Today, we mark the grim fourth-year commemoration of Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.
It is impossible to find words for the horror inflicted by Russia on Ukraine, and on Ukrainian children in particular. Russia appears entirely determined to erase basic living conditions for civilians with devastating effects on all aspects of life for Ukrainian children. Summer camps and changes to the 2025-2026 school curriculum in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine are used to reinforce Russian “patriotic education” for children as young as three years old, while militarized competitive activities are held for children under oversight of soldiers from the Russian armed forces.
The European Court of Human Rights has found that the mass deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children is a Russian state-administered, unlawful practice. We also recall the arrest warrants issued by the ICC for war crimes related to the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children. Unlawful deportation or transfer are a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions and a war crime.
Throughout the last four years, the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has continued to report credible evidence of serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law committed by Russian authorities. Russia continues to strike civilian and energy infrastructure leaving millions without heating, electricity and water in a very harsh winter in Ukraine. As assessed by the Commission of Inquiry, the pattern of drone strikes on civilians and civilian objects is a breach of international humanitarian law, in particular of the principle of distinction, and the Commission concluded that the resulting effect may also constitute war crimes and the crimes against humanity of murder and of forcible transfer of population.
We are deeply concerned about the increase in reports of executions of Ukrainian military personnel captured by the Russian armed forces since mid-November 2025, as documented by OHCHR. Moreover, we are alarmed by the Commission’s findings regarding alleged crimes against humanity in the form of enforced disappearances and torture, perpetrated by Russian authorities pursuant to a coordinated state policy.
There can be no impunity for these crimes. Those responsible must be held accountable.
Today we stand with Ukraine and commemorate the fourth year of Russia’s illegal aggression against Ukraine. We must maintain our unwavering commitment to pursue full accountability, safeguard human rights, and ensure a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
- Albania
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Colombia
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Kingdom of the Netherlands
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of Korea
- Romania
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- EU Delegation