On 17 July 2026, the European Union marked the 12th anniversary of the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, honouring the 298 victims and reiterating its call on Russia to accept responsibility and cooperate with efforts to establish justice. The statement, issued by High Representative Josep Borrell on behalf of the EU, expressed full support for accountability in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2166.
The EU welcomed the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judgment of 9 July 2025 and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council decision of 12 May 2025, both holding Russia responsible for the downing and the deaths. The ECtHR unanimously found Russia in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights, and the ICAO Council concluded that Russia breached the prohibition on using weapons against civil aircraft. Following the ICAO Council's order of 30 June 2025 for good-faith negotiations on reparations, Australia and the Netherlands requested talks in August 2025, but Russia did not respond. Instead, Russia filed proceedings at the International Court of Justice on 18 September 2025 to appeal the ICAO decision.
The EU's statement underscores the importance of these legal steps toward truth and justice for the victims and their families, while urging Russia to engage constructively.