While Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy was conducting his first official visit to South Africa to discuss an end to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine with President Cyril Ramaphosa and secure support for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace, Russia launched a massive aerial attack against Kyiv and other cities in Ukraine, killing innocent civilians and injuring many more. The attack has cut short this visit. This was President Zelenskyy’s  first visit to Africa and the first visit of an Ukrainian President to South Africa since diplomatic relations were established 33 years ago.

This brutal and unjustified attack shows total disregard for the lives of innocent people and for the international law including humanitarian law. These are not actions of a country committed to a just and lasting resolution of the war it itself initiated. This most recent attack makes clear once more who is the aggressor and who is being aggressed. As members of the international community, we cannot allow Russia to blatantly violate UN Charter principles and set a dangerous precedent about using force for territorial gains.

The Embassies to the Republic of South Africa of the following European Union Member States associate themselves with this local EU Statement: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.