- 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.
- Despite sustained US and European diplomatic efforts towards peace and Ukraine’s readiness to pursue it, Russia has increased the intensity of its missile and drone strikes on Ukraine, particularly targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, thus demonstrating Russia’s lack of real political will to end its war of aggression and to engage in meaningful peace negotiations. The European Union strongly condemns the recent Russian strikes on residential buildings and civilian energy infrastructure in Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Chernikiv, Sumy and Odesa, which caused many civilian casualties. 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.
- 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-defense in full accordance with international law and as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter. 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. Considering Russia’s intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector, ahead of the winter season, the EU and its Member States, in cooperation with partners, will intensify the provision of humanitarian and civil protection assistance to Ukraine.
- 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. 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.
- The latest report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine documented Russia’s systematically coordinated actions to drive out Ukrainian civilians from their homes through recurrent drone attacks, as well as deportations and transfers. The Commission established that the Russian armed forces’ short-range drone attacks affected a wider geographic area and resulted in killing and injuring of civilians, widespread destruction, and a coercive environment that has forced thousands to flee their homes, concluding that these attacks constitute the crimes against humanity of murder and of forcible transfer of population. The report also establishes that Russian authorities have coordinated actions to deport or transfer civilians from areas that came under their control in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, which amounts to war crimes.
- 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.
- 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 continue to stand by Lithuania in face of Russia’s and Belarus’s repeated violations of its sovereign airspace. 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.
- The EU is 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.
- The European Union urges Russia to agree to a full, unconditional and immediate ceasefire, which Ukraine agreed to in March 2025, and reiterates the European Union’s support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the principles of the UN Charter and 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. We call on Russia to demonstrate genuine political will to engage in constructive and meaningful negotiations. We reiterate that any credible approach to achieving peace must necessarily include concrete humanitarian measures.
- We also 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
Denmark on behalf of 26 EU-members: Statement on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
As delivered at the 1541st meeting of The Permanent Council to the OSCE, Vienna, 6 November.