Source: European Parliament
Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law including the United Nations (UN) Charter, goes against the EU’s objective to strengthen the multilateral rules-based order and is a threat to all countries, not just to Europe.
The EU condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Russia must remain isolated internationally and, with its political leadership, held fully accountable for the violations of international law and international humanitarian law it has committed.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 marked a fundamental turning point in EU-Russia relations. The EU’s wartime approach towards Russia consists of isolating Russia internationally; imposing restrictive measures; ensuring accountability; supporting EU’s neighbours and helping partners worldwide to address the global consequences of the war; working closely together with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and partners; enhancing the EU’s resilience; supporting civil society, human rights defenders and independent media[1].
As long as Russia continues to violate international law including the UN Charter and wages a war of aggression against Ukraine, there can be no return to normal relations.
Since Russia started its war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU’s diplomatic engagement with Russia is being kept to minimum. The priority of any contact with Russia is to deliver the call to stop its illegal aggression and the violation of the UN Charter, and respect Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- [1] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/ukraine/foreign-affairs-council-defence-press-remarks-high-representative-josep-borrell_en.