European Union issues joint statement with 50 countries to renew solidarity with Ukraine

Brussels, September 23 (KUNA) -- The European Union issued a joint statement today, Wednesday, with 50 countries, reaffirming solidarity with Ukraine in the face of its war with Russia and calling on Moscow to halt its attacks and engage in meaningful negotiations leading to a “comprehensive, just, and lasting peace” in accordance with international law. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, delivered the joint statement alongside French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, during a meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the situation in Ukraine.

The statement affirmed that the UN Charter safeguards the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of all states and enshrines their inherent right to self-defense. It accused Russia of escalating attacks on “civilians and civilian infrastructure” across Ukraine, which has resulted in “record numbers” of casualties in recent months, according to UN data.

It called for “full respect” for international humanitarian law, ensured accountability, and the protection of civilians, expressing particular concern over attacks in the Black Sea and Russia’s attempts to “block exports” of Ukrainian grain, which threaten global food security.

The signatories to the statement expressed their support for efforts to reach an arrangement in the Black Sea to ensure freedom of navigation and protect commercial vessels and critical infrastructure.

The statement noted that Ukraine has agreed since March 2025 to a “full, immediate, and unconditional” ceasefire, calling on Russia to take the same step as a “necessary” move toward serious diplomacy and negotiations leading to peace.

It demanded that Russia ensure the “immediate, safe, and unconditional” return to Ukraine of all Ukrainian civilians “held, forcibly transferred, or deported, including children,” as well as the repatriation of all prisoners of war and detainees, as these are important confidence-building measures.

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