The European Union strongly condemned Russia's intensified attacks against Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure, noting that June 2026 recorded the highest monthly number of civilian casualties in Ukraine since April 2022, with at least 293 civilians killed and 1,990 injured. In a statement delivered at the OSCE Permanent Council No. 1574 on 23 July 2026, the EU said Russia continues to show no interest in a negotiated end to its war of aggression and called for a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
The statement, published by the EU Delegation to the International Organisations in Vienna on 24 July 2026, highlighted that civilian casualties in the first six months of 2026 were 37 per cent higher than in the same period in 2025 and 114 per cent higher than in the same period in 2024, according to the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. The EU also expressed grave concern over findings from ODIHR's ninth interim report, which documented arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance of Ukrainian civilians in temporarily occupied territories, often due to perceived pro-Ukrainian views or refusal to cooperate with occupation authorities. The EU condemned reported torture, conflict-related sexual violence, incommunicado detention, and prosecutions on fabricated charges, and called for the immediate release of all unlawfully detained civilians, including three OSCE staff members: Vadym Golda, Maksym Petrov and Dmytro Shabanov.
The EU reaffirmed its commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on international law, the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act, respecting Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. It stated readiness to contribute to robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine and to continue increasing pressure on Russia until it demonstrates genuine political will for meaningful negotiations. The EU urged all countries to cease any assistance to Russia's war effort, particularly through dual-use goods and components, and strongly condemned military support provided to Russia by the DPRK, Iran, Belarus and others. The statement was aligned with Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, and Ukraine.
The statement reinforces diplomatic pressure on Russia and its allies, potentially affecting trade and military cooperation with countries supporting Russia. For Ukraine, it signals continued EU political and security backing, though no new concrete measures were announced. OSCE staff and detained civilians may see increased attention to their cases. EU member states face continued commitments to support Ukraine and maintain sanctions, with no immediate relief in sight.