EU Statement on the Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine
- Over the past two and a half years, we have witnessed a pattern of deliberate Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure. On 10 December, two medical facilities in the city of Zaporizhzhia were again attacked, killing 11 civilians, including medical staff. On the morning of 13 December, Russia unleashed yet another massive missile assault, heavily targeting the Ukrainian energy sector, particularly facilities in the western oblasts of Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk. In November alone, at least 165 civilians were killed and 887 were injured in Ukraine. The Russian Armed Forces resumed large-scale, coordinated attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, with two attacks in November damaging 24 electricity generation and distribution facilities in 13 regions.
- Ukraine’s three operating nuclear power plants had to sharply reduce their electricity production. Russia’s military strikes on 28 November impacted the substations, which all the nuclear power plants use to transmit and receive electricity and are important for nuclear safety. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has significantly increased the risk of a nuclear accident, with potentially grave radiological consequences for human health and the environment, including for global food security, if agricultural land were to be contaminated. Russia must urgently cease its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and withdraw all its military and other unauthorised personnel from Ukraine's ZNPP and the rest of Ukraine’s territory.
- As Russia continues to spread false propaganda regarding its war of aggression against Ukraine, we should not forget two basic facts. Firstly, Russia is manifestly violating fundamental principles of international law, which guide the peaceful co-existence of sovereign states. Secondly, Russia is blatantly disrespecting the rules governing the conduct of hostilities. ODIHR’s Sixth Interim Report on reported violations of international humanitarian and international human rights law in Ukraine, published on 13 December, provides further evidence of "large-scale coordinated attacks by the Russian Federation on Ukrainian cities and towns, including attacks targeting civilian infrastructure," and highlights that "continued use by the Russian Federation forces of explosive weapons with wide area effects in densely populated areas further showed the continuing disregard for the principles of distinction and proportionality." Particularly concerning is the intensification of violations of international commitments and obligations since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
- ODIHR’s findings are indeed deeply disturbing. "All 14 civilian survivors of arbitrary detention by the Russian authorities interviewed by ODIHR reported having been subjected to torture or other forms of ill-treatment." The report further notes that "29 Ukrainian former prisoners of war (POWs), all of whom reported being tortured extensively during their internment," provided evidence that "the torture of civilians and POWs by the Russian Federation is both widespread and systematic." ODIHR also documents "conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) perpetrated by the Russian authorities," including accounts from "32 men and women direct survivors of CRSV."
- Furthermore, ODIHR’s report details "efforts by the Russian authorities to alter the status and character of the occupied territories, in violation of IHL," including making residency and employment contingent on acquiring Russian citizenship and imposing "military-patriotic education for school-aged children."
- The OSCE Moscow Mechanism and ODIHR reports remain crucial tools in our pursuit of justice and we will continue to make full use of them. Ensuring accountability for all crimes committed in connection with Russia‘s war of aggression remains paramount for achieving the just and lasting peace that Ukraine deserves. Russia and its leadership must be held fully accountable for waging a war of aggression against Ukraine and for other crimes under international law, as well as for the massive damage caused by its war. The EU is firmly committed to ensuring victims’ rights to justice and reparation, as well as guarantees of non-repetition.
- We will continue to stand with Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes, for Ukraine to rightfully defend itself against Russia’s brutal war of aggression and win the just and lasting peace it deserves. To this end, we will continue to provide Ukraine with strong comprehensive support.
- We once again firmly condemn Russia’s unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. The EU also strongly condemns the DPRK’s deployment of troops and provision of arms to Russia in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine, in violation of the UN Charter and fundamental principles of international law, as well as multiple UNSC resolutions. These destabilising and illegal actions endanger regional and international peace and security, from Europe to the Indo-Pacific region. We strongly call on Russia and the DPRK to immediately cease their unlawful military cooperation and to withdraw DPRK troops from Russia. We call on the OSCE executive structures to make full use of the OSCE Conflict Cycle toolbox at their disposal to provide proper early warning and prevention of further escalation.
- The EU reiterates its strong condemnation of third countries’ continued support for Russia’s illegal war and continues to urge them to cease all assistance. 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, fuel its ongoing aggression, and aid Russia’s efforts to circumvent sanctions.
- We urge the aggressor, Russia, to immediately stop its senseless war, and to completely and unconditionally withdraw all its forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.
