EU Statement on the Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine

OSCE Permanent Council No. 1492

Vienna, 17 October 2024

EU Statement on the Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine

1. Once again, the EU condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia’s unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, which is a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, and OSCE core principles and commitments. We urge the aggressor, Russia, to immediately stop its war of aggression, and to completely and unconditionally withdraw all its forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.
2. There can be no impunity for war crimes, crimes against humanity and other crimes committed in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, including the crime of aggression. All those responsible must and will be held accountable.
3. The EU remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to providing continued multifaceted support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed, based on Ukraine’s urgent needs. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine is also an attack on a free and democratic Europe. The EU will stand by Ukraine as it fights to retain its independence and sovereignty and regain its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
4. Through its defensive operations to diminish Russia’s capacity to wage its war of aggression, Ukraine is exercising its inherent right to self-defence, in full accordance with international law and as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter.
5. The EU reiterates its firm support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter, and in line with the key principles and objectives of Ukraine’s Peace Formula, with full respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
6. The EU condemns any futile attempts by Russia to forcibly and illegally integrate or annex parts of Ukraine’s territory. We reiterate that any such attempts constitute a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, and all states have an obligation under international law to not recognise such annexations. Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Luhansk, as well as Crimea are Ukraine.
7. Another grave violation of international law is Russia's repeated illegal conscription in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, forcing Ukrainians to fight against their homeland and their own people.
8. The EU also condemns the recent Russian escalatory attacks on civilian vessels docked in Ukrainian ports or carrying Ukrainian grain in the Black Sea, as well as on port infrastructure in Odesa, which have killed and injured several people since 5 October. These deliberate Russian attacks constitute further blatant violations of international law. Ukrainian sea and river ports in Odesa have reportedly been hit more than 200 times since July 2023, which constitutes deliberate attacks on the supply of food for those most in need. We once again call on Russia to stop weaponising food supply and thus jeopardising global food security, and instead, to ensure safe commercial navigation in the Black Sea. The EU and its Member States remain committed to addressing global food security and the needs of countries vulnerable to food insecurity, including through the EU‘s Solidarity Lanes.
9. We deeply mourn the death of Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna, who went missing in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and was confirmed dead while in arbitrary detention in Russia. There must be a prompt, effective and impartial investigation into her death. We reiterate our call on Russia to protect journalists and other media actors in accordance with international humanitarian law, and to respect, protect and fulfil the right to freedom of opinion and expression in line with its OSCE commitments and obligations under international law. In this regard, we also demand an end to Russia's ongoing harassment, intimidation and persecution of journalists covering war zones and frontlines.
10. We will continue to demand the immediate release by Russia of all individuals unlawfully deprived of their liberty, including the three arbitrarily detained OSCE officials, and their safe return to Ukraine.
11. The EU also remains deeply concerned about the fate of all Ukrainian children unlawfully transferred by Russia within the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine or unlawfully deported to Russia and Belarus. We condemn the military re-education and indoctrination, as well as the violation of these children’s rights to their Ukrainian nationality, identity, name and family relations by Russia, as documented by the May 2023 Moscow Mechanism report and other international monitoring mechanisms. The EU reiterates its urgent call on Russia and Belarus to immediately ensure their safe return to Ukraine.
12. We recall the six arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court, including against President Putin for the war crime of the unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children. All State Parties to the Rome Statute are under the obligation to execute arrest warrants issued by the ICC.
13. We condemn the continued military support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine provided by Belarus, as well as Iran and the DPRK. We continue to urge all countries not to provide material or other support for Russia’s war of aggression, which is a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, and the OSCE’s core principles and commitments.