The European Union has condemned Russia's intensified attacks on 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 also expressed grave concern over human rights violations in temporarily occupied territories, including arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance, as documented by ODIHR's ninth interim report. The EU called on Russia to release all unlawfully detained civilians, including three OSCE staff members, and reiterated its commitment to accountability for violations of international law.
The statement, published by the EEAS on 24 July 2026, marks the latest in a series of EU condemnations since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The EU highlighted that civilian casualties in the first six months of 2026 were 37% higher than in the same period in 2025 and 114% higher than in 2024, citing data from the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. The EU also condemned the deployment of DPRK military forces and continued military support to Russia from Iran, Belarus, and the DPRK, urging all countries to cease any assistance to Russia's war effort.
The EU reaffirmed its support for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine based on international law and the UN Charter, and expressed readiness to contribute to robust security guarantees for Ukraine. 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 underscores the EU's ongoing diplomatic pressure on Russia, but its impact is limited as it reiterates existing positions without announcing new measures. The EU's call for a ceasefire and accountability faces significant obstacles given Russia's continued military operations and lack of interest in negotiations. The statement may reinforce international solidarity with Ukraine but does not introduce new sanctions or concrete actions, leaving the burden of response on existing EU sanctions and military aid packages. For stakeholders, the statement provides moral support to Ukraine and its people, but offers no new relief for civilians or businesses affected by the war. It also signals continued EU opposition to countries supporting Russia, potentially affecting diplomatic and trade relations with Iran, Belarus, and North Korea.