European Council demands that Russia immediately ceases military actions and withdraws all forces from Ukraine

The European Council today condemned “in the strongest possible terms” Russia’s unprecedented military aggression against Ukraine. “By its unprovoked and unjustified military actions, Russia is grossly violating international law and undermining European and global security and stability,” said  a joint statement by the members of the European Council.

The Council also condemned the involvement of Belarus in the aggression against Ukraine and called on it to abide by its international obligations.

“We demand that Russia immediately ceases military actions, unconditionally withdraws all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine and fully respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. Such use of force and coercion has no place in the 21st century,” says the statement.

The Council will meet later today to discuss this aggression and agree in principle on further restrictive measures that will impose “massive and severe” consequences on Russia for its action, in close coordination with the EU’s transatlantic partners.

The Council reiterated that the EU and its Member States are ready to urgently provide humanitarian emergency response to Ukraine: “The EU stands firmly by Ukraine and its people as they face this war. The EU will provide further political, financial and humanitarian assistance.”

The statement added that the EU was coordinating its response with its neighbours and international partners, including NATO and the G7 whose leaders will be meeting shortly.

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