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Colleagues,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro^*, Albania^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina^* and Georgia, and the EFTA country Liechtenstein, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Andorra, Monaco and San Marino, align themselves with this statement.

I want to thank the United Kingdom for organizing this meeting, and USG DiCarlo for her insightful briefing.

Colleagues, tomorrow marks a sombre milestone: 1000 days since Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a war of aggression that continues to shake the world. 1000 days of senseless human suffering. 1000 days of an unprecedented violation of the UN Charter. And 1000 days of inspiring courage and resilience by the Ukrainian people.

In light of these grim circumstances, I would like to emphasize three key points:

First, Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and its attempts to acquire territory through the use of force concern every single UN Member State. By wilfully undermining the rules-based international order and the Charter, and blatantly violating Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, Russia is putting European and global peace and security at risk, not just Ukraine’s freedom and integrity. We must condemn such actions today, because otherwise we will end up condoning similar blatant attacks on any and all of our countries tomorrow. Protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all UN Member States, regardless of their size and power, is our collective duty.

Second, Russia must abide by the will of the global community as expressed in several resolutions of the UN General Assembly and immediately and unconditionally cease its war of aggression, including its deliberate attacks against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and energy sector. Attacks on civilian infrastructure have surged, leading to the highest civilian casualty rates since the start of the full-scale invasion. Yesterday morning we witnessed yet another such massive Russian attack. Humanitarian needs are rising. Ukraine has lost up to 70% of its pre-war electricity production capacity, under a Russian plan to weaponize energy, and pressure the Ukrainian people ahead of a freezing winter. These attacks also endanger nuclear safety and security as nuclear sites need a secure off-site power supply.

Russia’s disregard for civilian lives in the territories it currently occupies is evident through the well-documented human rights violations it commits. These include extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, as well as systematic and widespread use of torture and ill-treatment by the Russian security services and police. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has concluded that Russia’s systematic and widespread use of torture, including through the use of sexual violence, amounts to crimes against humanity. There can be no impunity for these atrocities. Russia and its leadership must be held fully accountable for waging a war of aggression and for other most serious crimes under international law, as well as for the massive damage caused by their war.

And, beyond Ukraine, Russia continues to weaponize food and to deliberately undermine global food security, affecting vulnerable people and regions most in need. It has intensified its efforts to disrupt the Black Sea corridor with attacks on civilian port infrastructure and civilian vessels in and around Odesa. Here again, all countries must call Russia to account for these attacks on the freedom of navigation and global food security.

Third, we urgently need a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, anchored in the UN Charter. To this end, Russia - the aggressor - must withdraw all its troops from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. No initiative about Ukraine can be taken without Ukraine, and any serious proposal for peace must be based on the UN Charter and international law.

We urge third countries to cease all assistance to Russia’s war of aggression. This includes not only direct military support but also the provision of dual-use goods and sensitive items that sustain Russia’s military industrial base. In particular, the EU condemns the deepening military cooperation and arms transfers between the DPRK and Russia, which flagrantly violate multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions. Participation of DPRK troops in Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine would represent a unilateral hostile act by the DPRK, at the reckless invitation of Russia, with grave consequences for European and global peace and security.

President, for the past 1000 days, a brave Ukraine has been exercising its inherent right to self-defence in response to Russia’s illegal and unprovoked aggression. We must continue to defend Ukraine’s right to protect its territory and its people in line with the UN Charter, we must continue to protect the integrity of the UN Charter itself, and we must keep doing so for as long as it takes.

I thank you.

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