On 6 July 2026, the European Union and Ukraine held the 13th round of senior officials' consultations on the consequences of Russia's temporary occupation of Ukrainian territories, including Crimea and Sevastopol, in a virtual format. The discussions, launched in 2015, aim to coordinate efforts on the EU's non-recognition policy towards the illegal annexation. The EU and Ukraine exchanged views on the deteriorating human rights situation, lack of humanitarian access, and security environment in the Black Sea region, covering forced deportations, passportisation, forced mobilisation, arbitrary detention, and restrictions on freedom of expression. Both sides committed to continued cooperation in monitoring and documenting alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, as reflected in UN and OSCE reports, stressing the importance of comprehensive accountability. The EU reaffirmed its unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, reiterating non-recognition of Russia's annexation attempts and commitment to restrictive measures.
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