1. On 19^th November, we marked 1,000 days since Russia launched its illegal, unjustified and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine and 4,000 days since its aggression against Ukraine began in 2014. The resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people in the face of relentless hostility has been nothing short of extraordinary. The European Union commends Ukraine’s unwavering resolve in its rightful fight for freedom and the defence of our shared values. Peace is what Ukrainians desire and deserve the most. A peace in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter, and with full respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. No initiative about Ukraine can be taken without Ukraine.
2. Over the course of these 1,000 days, Russia has not shown any willingness to stop its barbaric actions. Its goals remain unchanged. Russia continues to terrorise the people of Ukraine with persistent, indiscriminate attacks. The mounting civilian toll demonstrates the Kremlin's insincerity about peace and peace negotiations, its contempt for international law, and its utter disregard for human life.
3. Last weekend saw yet another  massive Russian missile and drone attack—one of the largest since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion—on civilian targets, such as power generation and transmission facilities throughout Ukraine, including on electrical substations, which are critical in providing off-site power to Ukraine’s nuclear power plants. This combined attack left at least seven civilians dead and 19 others injured in multiple regions of Ukraine. On 14^th November, a Russian strike in Kharkiv Oblast damaged a high-voltage power line. Estimates indicate that more than 70% of Ukraine’s energy generation capacity has been damaged by Russia, and rolling power outages have become a common occurrence across the country, likely to worsen in the coming months. Since February 2022, nearly 2 million housing units have been damaged, with over one-fourth destroyed and three-fourths partially damaged.
4. The EU is deeply concerned about Russia’s systematic attacks on residential neighbourhoods and civilian facilities from which no Ukrainian region is spared. The consequences for the civilian populations are devastating. As a result, 23 civilians were killed and 180 were injured in October alone. On 17 and 18 November, Russia’s massive aerial attacks led to the tragic loss of 25 civilian lives, including several children, and left more than 170 others injured, with the number of civilian casualties in just two days surpassing those recorded throughout the entire month of October. This devastation must stop.
5. Russia’s actions over the last 1,000 days have constituted a direct assault on our shared values, our collective security, and the very foundation of international law, including the UN Charter, and OSCE principles and commitments. We once again remind Russia that Ukraine, as a sovereign, free, and independent state, has the inherent right to determine its own foreign policy and security arrangements, in full accordance with international law and the Helsinki Final Act. Ukraine is exercising its inherent right to self-defence, including through the possibility of striking any military target involved in operations targeting its territory, as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter.
6. Since the first day of the full-scale invasion, the EU has resolutely condemned Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. For 1,000 days our support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders has remained and will remain steadfast. To date, the EU’s comprehensive support to Ukraine amounts to €124 billion, including €1.5 billion from the proceeds of immobilised Russian assets. 
7. We emphasise that intentionally directing attacks on civilians and civilian objects constitutes a war crime. 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. There can be no impunity for any perpetrators and accomplices of Russia’s crimes. The EU remains committed to holding Russia and its leadership 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.
8. The EU congratulates Ukraine on depositing its instrument of ratification of the Rome Statute, officially becoming a State Party to the International Criminal Court as of 1 January 2025. We also encourage Ukraine to ensure the swift implementation of the Rome Statute.
9. 1,000 days into this brutal war, our resolve to stand in solidarity with Ukraine has only strengthened. Last week, during his fifth visit to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, including stops at Bucha, Yahidne and Chernihiv, HR/VP Borrell reaffirmed our unwavering commitment to providing Ukraine and its people with continued political, financial, economic, humanitarian, legal, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people towards their European future—whatever it takes, for as long as it takes.

10. We once again firmly condemn Russia’s unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. The EU 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. 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.

11. 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 and fuel its ongoing aggression.

12. 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.

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

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