EU Statement - HRC60 - Interactive dialogue with the Independent International Commission of inquiry on Ukraine
UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
60th Session
Interactive dialogue with the Independent International Commission of inquiry on Ukraine
19 September 2025
EU statement
Mr President,
The EU thanks the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) for their update.
We express deep concern over the increasing number of civilians killed and injured, due to Russia’s use of drones and explosive weapons, including with wide area effect in urban areas, and on other civilian objects, and civilian infrastructure. According to the Commission of Inquiry Russian armed forces perpetrated war crimes by intentionally directing such attacks against civilians.
The EU continues to condemn in the strongest possible terms the atrocities committed in the context of Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. These include arbitrary detentions, unlawful deportations, forcible transfers, extrajudicial executions, sexual and gender based violence, summary executions of civilian detainees and POWs held in Russian captivity, in addition to violations directed against Ukrainian citizens by Russia in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. We note with great concern that according to the CoI reports, the Russian authorities have acted pursuant to a coordinated state policy and have therefore committed crimes against humanity, including by systematic and widespread use of torture and enforced disappearances.
Children have a right to special protection during conflict. The EU reiterates its call on Russia to end the unlawful practice of child deportation, forcible transfers and illegal adoptions and to ensure their immediate and safe return to Ukraine. International humanitarian and human rights law must be respected. We call on Russia to stop the militarisation and indoctrination of Ukrainian minors and youth as per the latest OHCHR reports.
We reaffirm the EU’s commitment to ensuring full accountability for all international crimes and human rights violations committed as well as victims’ rights to justice, reparation and guarantees of non-repetition.
We remain committed to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, grounded in the principles of the UN Charter and international law and we welcome all efforts towards achieving such peace. At the same time we strongly condemn Russia’s drone incursions into the EU airspace which represent not only a breach of international law but also a destabilizing escalation that brings the entire region closer to conflict than at any time in recent years. The EU demands that Russia cease its aggression, withdraw all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine, and fully respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The EU reiterates that it is now for Russia to show its willingness to achieve peace. The EU joins Ukraine and international partners, in calling for a full, unconditional ceasefire.
Commissioners,
Beyond the imminent need for judicial accountability, what are in your view the most crucial non-judicial accountability measures the international community should support [to promote social cohesion and ensure victims right to reparation]?