1. Mr. Chair, the European Union condemns in the strongest possible terms the Russian Federation’s unprovoked, unjustified and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, which has already lasted for more than 17 months.
2. Every single day, the Russian Armed Forces and their proxies sow horror in Ukraine. Being pushed backwards by the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ counteroffensive, Russian troops are resorting to terror and destruction against Ukrainian cities and residential areas. However, such reprehensible acts will not break the resilience of the courageous people of Ukraine, nor will it diminish our unity and resolve to support Ukraine in its inherent right of self-defence against Russia’s illegal war for as long as it takes.
3. We strongly condemn the most recent aerial strikes against residential areas in Odesa, Kupyansk and other Ukrainian cities. We also deplore Russia’s daily targeted attacks, for over a week now, destroying Ukraine’s grain storage facilities and port infrastructure, in an apparent attempt to disrupt Ukraine’s ability to export food. The latest attack on the port of Reni, a potential alternative port for Ukrainian grain located close to the Romanian border, is yet another escalatory step taken by Russia.  The EU condemns Russia’s deliberate decision to terminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which threatens to undermine global food security and causes price increases for foodstuff globally. Hundreds of millions of already vulnerable people, in particular in Africa, are put at risk because of Russia’s decision. We call on Russia to resume the Black Sea Grain Initiative, and to stop weaponising food by trying to profit from the reduced food supply from Ukraine. The EU and its Member States will continue to fight food insecurity. Hunger must not be used as a political tool.
4. Intentionally directing attacks on civilians and civilian objects is a war crime. Russia’s political and military leadership, along with those directly responsible for such attacks, will not escape accountability for any war crimes and other international crimes committed, including for the crime of aggression.
5. Russia will also have to compensate for all the damage inflicted on Ukraine in the context of Russia’s war of aggression. The principle that the “aggressor pays the damage” must be upheld, and it will be.
6. The EU condemns the continued military support for Russia’s war of aggression provided by the Belarusian authorities. The EU also condemns in the strongest terms Russia’s unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children and other civilians to Russia and to Belarus. The EU calls on the Russian Federation and Belarus to immediately ensure their safe return.
7. The EU supports a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in full respect of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, based on the UN Charter and OSCE principles and commitments. We reiterate our support for President Zelenskyy’s initiative for a just peace. We will continue working with Ukraine on its 10-point peace plan. To help Ukraine achieve a just and lasting peace, we will continue providing comprehensive political, financial, legal, humanitarian and military support, and we will continue doing so for as long as it takes.
8. Tomorrow, on 28 July, Ukraine will mark the Day of Ukraine’s Statehood. We will mark it together with all Ukrainians across the globe, and in doing so, we will reconfirm our solidarity with and support to Ukraine, as well as its European future.
9. The EU reiterates its unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The EU fully supports and looks forward to the next Summit meeting of the International Crimea Platform scheduled for 23 August. We call on Russia to stop its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and immediately withdraw all its military forces, proxies, and equipment, unconditionally and entirely, from the whole territory of Ukraine. Russia must also immediately cease actions endangering the safety and security of civilian nuclear facilities in Ukraine.

The Candidate Countries NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, ALBANIA*, UKRAINE, the REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, and BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA*, the Potential Candidate Country GEORGIA, and the EFTA countries ICELAND, LIECHTENSTEIN and NORWAY, members of the European Economic Area, as well as ANDORRA, MONACO and SAN MARINO align themselves with this statement.

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