Today, amidst its unprovoked and unjustified war against Ukraine and its people, the Russian Federation has launched another conscription campaign in the illegally annexed Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to draft residents of the peninsula in the Russian Armed Forces.

This is another serious violation of international humanitarian law, by which Russia remains bound. 

The drafting of all eligible men, including Crimean Tatars, in the illegally annexed Crimea is particularly cynical, as they are forced to engage directly in Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. 

The EU does not and will not recognise the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and city of Sevastopol.

The EU demands Russia to immediately stop its military aggression, immediately and to unconditionally withdraw all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine.