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Colleagues, 

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. 

I would like to thank USG Fletcher from OCHA for once again highlighting the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. 

While Ukraine sues for peace, Russia continues its relentless attacks on Ukraine’s civilians and civilian infrastructure. The past week has provided ample evidence of Russia’s lack of interest in any ceasefire, with daily, deadly attacks. Russia’s latest attack on the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih reportedly killed 20 people, including nine children, most of whom were playing in a park. It was the deadliest single strike involving children, as verified by the UN Human Rights Office, since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

Russia’s campaign of systematic air strikes against Ukraine’s civilians and civilian critical infrastructure violates international humanitarian law and must stop immediately. As stated on Sunday by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, ‘the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects by Russia in a densely populated area - and without any apparent military presence - demonstrates a reckless disregard for civilian life’. There can be no impunity. Russia and its leadership must be held fully accountable for waging a war of aggression and for other most serious crimes under international law. 

The EU reiterates its support for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine, based on the UN Charter and international law. We welcome all efforts towards reaching such a peace. We welcome the efforts by the United States in this regard, and by Saudi Arabia in hosting talks. Ukraine has demonstrated its readiness to accept a ceasefire without preconditions - which would constitute an important step in the direction of peace. Instead of reciprocating, Russia has put forward preconditions for a partial ceasefire. We call on Russia to show its willingness to achieve peace without further delay. The EU is ready to play its full part in supporting upcoming steps, together with Ukraine and other partners. I stress once again there can be no negotiations on Ukraine without Ukraine, and no negotiations that affect European security without Europe.

In closing, I reaffirm the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The EU will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed to achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in line with international law including the UN Charter. 

Thank you.