EU Statement: UN Security Council: Briefing on Threats to International Peace and Security (Humanitarian Situation in Ukraine)

Madam President,

I have the honour to submit this written statement on behalf of the European Union and its 27 Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro^*, and Albania^*, the country of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the EFTA countries Iceland, as well as the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, align themselves with this statement.

The EU and its Member States are deeply concerned about the rapidly deteriorating situation in Ukraine. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is causing a humanitarian catastrophe, including for the country’s 7.5 million children who are exposed to the horrors of war. We witnessed a Russian military strike in Irpin yesterday killing a family with two children and several other civilians who were trying to flee the Russian invasion. We have seen peaceful protesters in Kherson being shot by Russian forces and journalists being attacked near Kyiv. These are appalling violations of IHL, the Geneva Conventions and a number of UNSC resolutions (including 1265, 1738 and 2222). We condemn Russia’s aggression in the strongest possible terms.

Over the past days, the EU has intensified its diplomatic efforts hand in hand with Ukraine and countries from all parts of the world to demand the cessation of hostilities by Russia. International law and IHL must be upheld. The Resolutions adopted last week in the General Assembly and by the Human Rights Council (HRC) by an overwhelming majority are a strong message of the international community to this end. By establishing a Commission of Inquiry, the HRC has taken a step forward in the fight against impunity. We also welcome the opening of an investigation by the ICC Prosecutor into the situation in Ukraine after the referrals by 39 ICC States Parties, including all EU Member States. Those who violate the International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Conventions will be held accountable.

Russia’s aggression has caused widespread human suffering, countless civilian casualties, the destruction of civilian infrastructures affecting essential services – including schools and hospitals –, large-scale displacement and exacerbation of existing humanitarian needs stemming from eight years of conflict. We deplore the critical situation of civilians stuck in the besieged cities without access to water, electricity, heating and basic relief. We call upon all parties to comply fully with the relevant provisions of international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocol I of 1977.

Civilians and civilian infrastructures must be protected in line with International Humanitarian Law. This includes the prohibition of the indiscriminate use of explosive weapons, particularly in densely populated urban areas. Reports about the use of cluster munition are deeply worrying. Civilians must never be a target, and the perpetrators of any violence or abuse against them must be held accountable.

Access constraints and rapidly changing frontlines hinder the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian assistance. Meanwhile, the civilian population needs urgent access to shelter, food, water, healthcare and protection. We call on all parties to allow rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and assistance to all persons in need, wherever they are. This is why it is paramount that humanitarian corridors be set up and fighting suspended in order to deliver relief without delay to all people in need. Beyond humanitarian corridors, humanitarian assistance in line with humanitarian principles must be respected at all times, relief items delivered without delay and the protection and safe passage of civilians guaranteed, whether they wish to stay or evacuate.

We are also witnessing massive internal displacement of people and huge numbers of people fleeing Ukraine to neighbouring countries, mainly women, girls and boys, and elderly people. Half of those displaced are children. Children that are in urgent need of protection, and whose schooling is halted.

We commend all neighbouring countries that have kept their borders open for refugees fleeing Ukraine. Most have fled to Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Moldova, while some have moved towards various other European countries.

In a historic decision, the EU has triggered, for the first time ever, the Temporary Protection Directive, to grant protection and to give quick and effective assistance to people fleeing the war through residence permits that will grant access to education and to the labour market.

Madam President,

We are committed to assist those affected by this humanitarian crisis. We underline that humanitarian assistance to the people affected by the conflict in Ukraine should be provided in line with the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. The EU has announced a rapid assistance package of 500 million euros to help civilians affected by the conflict inside Ukraine but also in the neighboring countries. We are also coordinating the delivery of materials via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, together with our Member States. The EU has signed a memorandum of understanding with Ukraine for 1.2 billion euros of emergency Macro-Financial assistance.  

We fully support the UN Humanitarian Response Plan for 2022, the UN-led Inter-agency Contingency Plan, as well as the UN flash appeal for Ukraine and the UNHCR Regional Refugee Response Plan covering the neighbouring countries. We commend the already shown solidarity and we urge all States to contribute generously to these appeals.

Madam President,

We commend the brave efforts undertaken by humanitarian and medical personnel. Their safety and security is of critical importance. They must be protected and be able to work and operate.

We commend the efforts undertaken by the government of Ukraine to facilitate humanitarian operations, ensuring the free movement of humanitarian workers and convoys as well as facilitating imports of relief items and offer our support to further improve the delivery of assistance. We urge Russia to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access to any civilians in areas under their control.

In closing, I want to underline that we are committed to ensuring that EU sanctions do not prevent the delivery of humanitarian aid to the people in need.

Thank you.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.