EU Statement on the Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, OSCE Permanent Council No. 1573
The European Union condemns in the strongest possible terms the latest wave of Russian missile and drone attacks against Ukraine, which have inflicted a devastating toll on civilians and caused serious damage to civilian infrastructure. Repeated large-scale strikes have hit densely populated residential areas in Kyiv, Sumy, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv and other cities. According to the United Nations, these attacks have contributed to the highest verified monthly civilian casualty toll since the early months of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Deeply alarming is also Russia’s continued targeting of humanitarian and medical facilities. Attacks directed against humanitarian and medical facilities are blatant violations of international humanitarian law. On 2 and 12 July, strikes in the Kherson and Kharkiv regions damaged hospitals and disrupted medical care. On 7 and 8 July, attacks in Kyiv damaged an ambulance station, injured medical personnel and struck emergency response vehicles. On 10 and 11 July, a Ukrainian Red Cross humanitarian warehouse was destroyed. Médecins Sans Frontières’ (MSF’s) latest report, No Safe Place to Heal, documents relentless attacks on healthcare and medical personnel in Ukraine, which appear to constitute a deliberate strategy to destroy the medical system and collectively punish the population, rather than being incidental to Russia's invasion.
We again call on Russia to end its war of aggression immediately, agree to a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire, and demonstrate genuine political will by engaging in meaningful negotiations towards a just and lasting peace.
We also urge all countries to immediately cease any assistance to Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine, whether direct or indirect, and notably through the provision of dual-use goods and components. In particular, we strongly condemn the deployment of the DPRK’s military forces in the war against Ukraine as well as the continued military support provided to Russia by Iran, Belarus and the DPRK, among others.
The European Union remains firmly committed to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, grounded in international law, the principles of the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act. There can be no just or durable peace that rewards aggression. Only a settlement that fully respects Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders can deliver lasting peace. The EU and its Member States remain ready to contribute to robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine, in line with international law and their respective competences and capabilities. We also remain committed to providing sustained and comprehensive support for Ukraine, combined with increased pressure on Russia. Latest restrictive measures, together with the upcoming 21st sanctions package, will add 250 individuals and entities to the sanctions list targeting Russia.
The European Union is determined to pursue accountability. The findings of the independent report under Moscow Mechanism on indoctrination and militarization of Ukrainian children and of ODIHR ninth interim report are devastating, confirming previous findings of systemic and widespread violations of international law by Russia in the context of its aggression against Ukraine. We call on Russia to implement without delay the recommendations of the Moscow Mechanism report and immediately facilitate the safe return of all deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children. The OSCE plays and will continue to play a role in view of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
Since the start of its war of aggression and attempted illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, Russia continues to suppress dissent and persecute those perceived as a threat to the occupation administrations. Thousands of Ukrainians civilians remain in captivity, deprived of their rights. We again call on Russia to release immediately and unconditionally all unlawfully detained civilians, including the three OSCE staff members– Vadym Golda, Maksym Petrov and Dmytro Shabanov – and to comply fully with international humanitarian and human rights law.
Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, San Marino, and Ukraine align themselves with this statement.