EU Reaffirms Support for Ukraine, Urges Russia to Agree to Ceasefire

European Union leaders have reaffirmed their firm and unwavering support for Ukraine, pledging to continue providing political, financial, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic assistance. At a European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday, leaders reiterated their backing for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and urged Russia to agree to a full, unconditional, and immediate ceasefire. They stressed that only a settlement based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law can produce a just and lasting peace. “The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be determined without Ukraine,” the European Council said in its conclusions, adding that borders must not be changed by force and that the aggressor must not be rewarded. The Council welcomed the opening of the first negotiation cluster in Ukraine’s EU accession process on 15 June and said it looked forward to the launch of subsequent clusters under the bloc’s merit-based enlargement process. EU leaders also “strongly” condemned what they described as Russia’s latest escalation of attacks, including large-scale missile and drone strikes targeting civilians and energy infrastructure, as well as an attack on the UNESCO-listed Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery complex in Kyiv. The Council also condemned Russia’s increasingly aggressive behaviour towards EU member states, highlighting disinformation campaigns, threats to the EU’s diplomatic presence in Ukraine, and repeated violations of member states’ airspace and territorial waters. The leaders specifically condemned an incident in which a Russian drone carrying explosives crashed into a residential building in Romania. Such events, they said, threaten the security of EU citizens and regional stability. The EU expressed readiness, together with member states and partners, to contribute to “strong and credible security guarantees” for Ukraine, including through the Coalition of the Willing and cooperation with the United States. The Council also called for the acceleration of military aid, particularly air defence systems, ammunition, drones, and missiles. In addition, it welcomed the implementation of the latest sanctions targeting Russia’s shadow fleet. Furthermore, it urged the swift approval of the 21st sanctions package and reiterated demands that perpetrators of war crimes be held accountable and that deported Ukrainian children and civilians be returned.