5 EU statements delivered in September 2026
On 2 September, the EU delivered a statement at the 1567th Meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies at the Council of Europe. Marking the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence on 24 August, the EU expressed its determination to ensure Russia’s accountability for all war crimes and violations of international law and expressed its solidarity and support for the Ukrainian people, while reaffirming its commitment to the country’s path towards EU membership. “Ukraine and its people will prevail and achieve the just and lasting peace they deserve.”
On 9 September, the EU delivered a statement at the 1568th Meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies at the Council of Europe, in response to Gunn Merit Helgesen, President of the Congress of the Local and Regional Authorities. The EU thanked Ms Helgesen for her remarks on local democracy and for the engagement and cooperation with Ukraine and the Western Balkans. The EU also addressed the situation in Türkiye, referring to the detention of Sinem Dedetaş, elected Mayor of Üsküdar and Vice-President of the Congress, and expressed "extreme concern by these systematic arrests of opposition local elected representatives".
On 23 September, the EU delivered three statements at the 1570th Meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies at the Council of Europe:
In the first statement, the EU condemned Russia’s intensified attacks against Ukraine and its long-standing hybrid campaigns aimed “at threatening and undermining the security, resilience and democratic foundations of the EU”. It also condemned Russia’s repeated violations of airspace, referring to recent cases in Romania and the Republic of Moldova. Finally, the EU reaffirmed its support for Ukraine and highlighted the importance of making progress on the operationalisation of Council of Europe bodies to ensure Russia’s accountability for war crimes.
In its second statement, the EU referred to the so-calledPresidential elections in Georgia’s occupied breakaway region of South Ossetia in September 2026, not recognising either the organisation or the outcome of the elections. The EU condemned the Russian appointment of a de facto President of the occupied region and reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, as well as to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
The third statement addressed the non-applicabilityon Ukrainian territory of the Russian State Duma elections held on 18-20 September 2026. The EU condemned the so-called “elections”, which “represent yet another blatant violation by Russia of international law, including the UN Charter”. The EU further reiterated its support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.