In a joint statement top EU officials urge focus on achieving just peace in Ukraine

RIGA - The international community must maintained a continued focus on supporting Ukraine in achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on the Ukrainian peace formula, the European Union's top officials emphasized in a joint statement Monday.

The statement, issued by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to mark three years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, notes that three years ago, in 2022, Russia launched its full-scale and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. According to the authors of the statement, Russia’s brutal war deliberately targets civilian and critical infrastructure.

"The Ukrainian people have shown bravery in defending their country and the core principles of international law. We pay tribute to all those who have sacrificed their lives and have lost loved ones for Ukraine’s independence and freedom," the statement says.

The EU officials underline that Russia and its leadership bear sole responsibility for this war and the atrocities committed against the Ukrainian population.

The statement says that Europe continues to call for accountability for all war crimes and crimes against humanity committed. We welcome the recent steps made towards the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

Russia and its people are paying a price for their leader's actions. Together with partners, the European Union has imposed unprecedented sanctions against Russia and those complicit in the war and remain ready to increase the pressure on Russia to limit its ability to wage war, the statement reads.

"We are already using windfall profits from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s defence industry and energy recovery. Today, we have adopted a sixteenth sanctions package to further increase collective pressure on Russia to end its war of aggression."

The EU officials indicate that Ukraine is part of our European family. Ukrainians have expressed their wish for a future within the European Union. We have acknowledged that by granting Ukraine the status of candidate country and launched accession negotiations. Ukraine has made significant progress in accession related reforms under the most challenging circumstances.

"In a challenging international and geopolitical environment, we stress the importance of maintaining transatlantic and global solidarity with Ukraine... We stand firm with Ukraine, reaffirming that peace, security, and justice will prevail," the EU leaders write.

As reported, EU foreign ministers at a meeting in Brussels on Monday approved the 16th round of sanctions on Russia. The sanctions have been formally approved on a day that marks three years since Russia's reinvasion of Ukraine.