EU Marks Two Years of Russian-Ukrainian Conflict

The Europe Council held a special ceremony to commemorate the second anniversary of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The ceremony was held at the Council of Europe's main headquarters building in Strasbourg, France and was attended by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, President of the Parliamentary Assembly Theodoros Rousopoulos, Permanent Representative of Liechtenstein Ambassador Domenik Wanger on behalf of the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, and Ambassador Borys Tarasyuk, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the Council of Europe.

In a joint statement by the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Parliament, it read: "Today marks a tragic anniversary: that of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine in manifest Today marks a tragic anniversary: that of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine in manifest violation of international law and the UN Charter. Two years of violence, brutality, terror and destruction. We shall never forget the initial shock of the attack, the horror of the events in Borodianka, Bucha, Mariupol."

It continued: "Yet, in spite of all the continuing atrocities and suffering inflicted upon it across the country, Ukraine is standing firm. The heroic Ukrainian people are demonstrating fortitude and determination in defending their homeland and fighting for their freedom and our shared European values."

The EU Council also affirmed its support to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

"We will continue to address Ukraine’s pressing military and defence needs, including deliveries of urgently needed ammunition and missiles. We have taken unprecedented actions at the EU level to ramp up European defence industry production, and we will continue to increase the capacity, which will allow us to step up our military support and cooperation with Ukraine while simultaneously strengthening our defence readiness and European sovereignty. We are also working on future security commitments which will help Ukraine defend itself, resist destabilisation efforts and deter acts of aggression in the future."

The statement concluded:" We support Ukraine’s Peace Formula for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law as well as all efforts towards a Global Peace Summit with the widest possible international support. Today, our flags will be flying side by side as a symbol of our solidarity, commitment and resolve."