I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, the Candidate Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Ukraine, as well as Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway and the United Kingdom are aligning with this statement.
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The EU strongly condemns Russia´s escalated large-scale, deliberate and systematic missile and drone attacks against Ukraine’s civilians and civilian infrastructure. To help Ukraine prepare for winter, the EU calls for further intensified efforts and coordination to urgently strengthen Ukraine’s air and missile defence capabilities, the resilience of its critical infrastructure and energy system, including through the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, and to address other immediate needs. Enhanced regional energy cooperation and cross-border electricity interconnections play a pivotal role in this regard.
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By targeting Ukraine’s agricultural infrastructure, Black Sea and Danube ports, border crossing points, export facilities and vessels, by blocking shipping lanes, and by destroying grain storage facilities, Russia is once again weaponising food and undermining global food security, with severe consequences for the most vulnerable countries and populations around the globe.
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The EU remains determined to further increase pressure on Russia so that it stops its brutal war of aggression and engages in meaningful negotiations towards peace. The EU recently adopted its 21st sanctions package and a substantial number of further listings of individuals and entities. We regret the United States’ decision to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian diesel.
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The EU reaffirms its continued firm and unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. We will continue to provide, in coordination with like-minded partners and allies, comprehensive political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people.
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We reiterate our commitment to ensuring full accountability for war crimes and the other most serious crimes committed in connection with Russia’s war of aggression and fully support ongoing efforts within the framework of the Council of Europe towards the operationalisation of the International Claims Commission for Ukraine and the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. The EU urges Russia and Belarus to immediately ensure the safe and unconditional return to Ukraine of all unlawfully deported and transferred Ukrainian children and other civilians.
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