1. Since the end of March, we have once again witnessed an alarming intensification of Russia’s brutal attacks on Ukrainian civilian objects and infrastructure. The 22^nd March massive Russian assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure was followed by another wave of strikes across the country only a week later which again targeted its energy grid and also threatened the integrity of hydroelectric power plants in the Ukrainian cities of Kaniv and Zaporizhzhia. As Ukraine works to restore electricity to its citizens, Russia continues to terrorise the Ukrainian population with daily indiscriminate attacks. Even the Office of the Organisation “Doctors without borders” was bombed and completely destroyed last week in Pokrovsk.  The second largest Ukrainian city, Kharkiv, is currently under constant Russian assault. At least fifteen civilian residents of Kharkiv have been killed from 1^st to 7^th April, and almost half a million people reportedly lack access to power in the region as a result of continued Russian attacks. Three rescue workers lost their lives in yet another “double strike” drone attack by Russia on a residential building after they arrived to provide assistance last Thursday in Kharkiv. Odesa’s energy grid and port infrastructure too are again being targeted by Russia. Moreover, there have recently been deeply disturbing reports of further executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian forces – this time in Krynky.
2. All this tangibly demonstrates that the nature and methods of Russia’s war of aggression have not changed. They remain the same as those employed  in Bucha, Irpin and Hostomel, places which  have become synonymous with Russia‘s war crimes, mass atrocities and scorched-earth tactics. The  appalling images that emerged after the liberation of these settlements are a chilling reminder of the true face of Russia and its conduct of war. It knows no bounds – neither of international obligations nor of humanity.
3. What happened in Bucha and Irpin during their temporary occupation by Russia foreshadowed the fate of many other Ukrainian settlements that subsequently came under Russian control. International monitoring mechanisms, including the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, the UN Office of the High Commissioner and the International Independent Commission of Inquiry, as well as ODIHR’s Ukraine Monitoring and the OSCE Moscow Mechanism expert mission, continue to document “persistent patterns of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law” by Russia in the Ukrainian territories it illegally and temporarily occupies.
4. Russia’s illegal occupation of Ukrainian land has been accompanied by the forceful imposition of Russia’s administrative and judicial system, with access to vital social services, employment and humanitarian aid being contingent on holding a Russian passport. This is another blatant violation of international law. So is Russia’s second illegal conscription campaign in Ukraine’s regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, which began on 1^st April. We unequivocally condemn these illegal actions. They must stop.
5. During their latest meeting on 21^st March 2024, European leaders reaffirmed that Russia and its leadership must be held fully accountable for waging a war of aggression against Ukraine and for other most serious crimes under international law, as well as for the massive damage caused by its war. Significant progress in the pursuit of accountability was made at the Ministerial Conference “Restoring Justice for Ukraine”, co-hosted on 2^nd April in the Hague by the Netherlands, Ukraine and the European Commission. The Register of Damage, launched during the Conference, is a crucial contribution to the efforts to record claims concerning damage as a result of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, laying the grounds for a future compensation mechanism. 
6.  We remain seriously concerned about the continued precarious nuclear safety and security situation, in particular at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), demonstrated most recently on 22^nd March and 7^th April. Bringing Russia’s war of aggression to an end and returning the ZNPP to the full control of the competent Ukrainian authorities is the only lasting solution to minimise the risk of a nuclear accident. Russia’s attempts to illegally take ownership of Ukraine’s ZNPP have no validity under international law. None of the serious risks identified by the IAEA existed before Russia’s illegal seizure of the plant two years ago.
7. We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The EU is determined to continue providing Ukraine and its people with all the necessary political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed. At this critical moment, the EU and Member States will speed up and intensify the delivery of all necessary military assistance.
8. We reiterate that any diplomatic solution to end Russia's war of aggression must be based on full respect for international law and its rules, norms and principles, including those enshrined in the UN Charter, notably for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will continue intensive global outreach efforts and cooperation with Ukraine and other partners from all regions of the world to ensure the widest possible international support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace and the key principles and objectives of Ukraine’s Peace Formula, based on the UN Charter, with a view to a future Global Peace Summit.
9. In conclusion, we once again demand that Russia immediately stop its illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine, and completely and unconditionally withdraw all its forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, including the ZNPP. We also condemn the continued military support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine provided by Belarus, as well as Iran, and the DPRK. We 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.

The Candidate Countries NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, ALBANIA*, UKRAINE, the REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA*, and GEORGIA, the EFTA countries ICELAND and LIECHTENSTEIN, 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.