The European Union strongly condemned Russia's latest intensified attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, including the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, in a statement delivered at the OSCE Permanent Council on 25 June 2026. The EU reported that in May 2026, at least 274 civilians were killed and 1,763 injured, making it the deadliest month for civilians since April 2022, according to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. Long-range weapons caused 45 per cent of civilian casualties, with most victims in urban centres such as Kyiv and Dnipro. The statement was published by the EEAS on 26 June 2026.
The EU reiterated its call on Russia to cease its aggression, withdraw all forces and military equipment from Ukraine's internationally recognised borders, agree to a full, unconditional and immediate ceasefire, and engage in meaningful negotiations towards a just and lasting peace. The bloc reaffirmed its unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and stressed that peace cannot be negotiated without Ukraine.
The EU highlighted its financial support through the EUR 90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, with a first disbursement expected by the end of June 2026. It also welcomed the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk and noted the opening of the first cluster on fundamentals in accession talks on 15 June 2026.
The EU announced new restrictive measures targeting Russia's military-industrial complex, energy revenues, shadow fleet, hybrid activities, state propaganda, systematic repression and human rights violations, including in temporarily occupied territories, as well as repeated disregard for the Chemical Weapons Convention. The bloc also demanded the immediate release of unlawfully detained civilians, including three OSCE staff members, and called on Russia to comply with international humanitarian law regarding prisoners of war and the return of deported Ukrainian children.
The EU urged all countries to cease any assistance to Russia's war effort, condemning the deployment of DPRK military forces and continued military support from Iran, Belarus and the DPRK. Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, and Ukraine aligned themselves with the statement.