24 February 2022 will forever be recalled as the day when Russia started its brutal, unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine. This was and remains a case of pure aggression and a clear-cut breach of the UN Charter.

A major nuclear power has attacked a neighbouring country and is threatening reprisals on any other state that may come to its rescue. This is not only the greatest violation of international law, it is a violation of the basic principles of human co-existence. It is costing many lives with unknown consequences ahead of us.

This war is neither ‘just a European issue’, nor is it about the ‘West versus the rest’. It is about the kind of world we all want to live in.

We continue to condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia's unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine, because these are among the darkest hours for Europe since World War II.

We call on Russia to immediately and unconditionally withdraw all its military personnel and equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine in full respect of Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and cease all hostilities. We support Ukraine’s Peace Formula as the only legitimate and credible path towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter.

The future of Ukraine and its people lies within the European Union. In June 2022, Ukraine was granted EU candidate status. In December 2023, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine. The EU will stand with Ukraine on its reconstruction and reform path every step of the way. The EU stands united and resolute in its support for Ukraine. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, TEAM EUROPE has mobilised over €88 billion to help Ukraine and its people and on 2 February 2024, EU Leaders agrees on €50 billion of reliable support for Ukraine until 2027.

In March 2022, the EU activated the temporary protection directive and EU Member States have been providing protection for Ukrainian citizens displaced by the war ever since, with over 4 million people being under temporary protection in the EU. The temporary protection was extended until March 2025.

Ukraine’s fight for its freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity is also about safeguarding fundamental human values and principles of international law. The EU made it clear that it will stand with Ukraine and its people for as long as necessary and on all fronts: humanitarian, economic, financial, political, diplomatic and military.

Our support makes a difference on the battlefield. Overall EU military support to Ukraine – provided by the European Peace Facility and the Member States directly – amounts to around €28 billion. The EU is one of the main providers of military assistance and training to Ukrainian Armed Forces through the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine).

The civilian EU Advisory Mission (EUAM) continues to advise and support civilian security sector reforms, in line with Ukraine’s EU path. In addition, EUAM supports Ukraine’s efforts to investigate and prosecute international crimes and the return of law enforcement to de-occupied and adjacent territories.

Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security. The EU and its Member States are committed to contributing, for the long term and together with partners, to security commitments to Ukraine. These commitments will help Ukraine to defend itself, resist destabilisation efforts and deter acts of aggression in the future.