On 8 July 2026, the European Union, in a statement delivered by Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis at the UN Security Council open debate on Women, Peace and Security, expressed deep alarm over a doubling of verified conflict-related sexual violence cases in 2025, and for the first time listed Russian armed forces and Israeli security forces for such violations. The statement, issued by the EEAS, called for strengthened prevention, protection, and accountability, and reaffirmed EU support for survivor-centred approaches.
The EU's intervention follows the UN Secretary-General's annual report on conflict-related sexual violence, which documented a sharp increase in cases. The EU condemned Russia's use of sexual violence as a weapon of war in Ukraine and reiterated support for investigations by the International Criminal Court. It also noted the report's listing of Hamas for sexual violence during the 7 October attacks and, for the first time, Israeli forces for cases against Palestinian detainees, urging all parties to comply with international law.
The EU highlighted its financial commitments, including a €1 million project supporting UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict, €3 million projects in Sudan and Chad for gender-based violence prevention, and support for the Global Survivor Fund, which provided interim reparative measures to nearly 4,000 survivors in 2025. The statement emphasized the need for systematic application of existing norms, adequate resourcing, and political will to end impunity and ensure justice for survivors.