The European Union and Ukraine issued a joint statement on 14 July 2026 strongly condemning Russia's ongoing war of aggression and its systematic violations of international humanitarian law against civilian detainees. The statement, released by the EEAS following discussions in Brussels on the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council, calls for the immediate, safe and unconditional return of all arbitrarily detained, unlawfully deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian civilians, including children. It also demands that Russia and Belarus confirm the identity, location and fate of Ukrainians held in captivity or reported missing, and that the International Committee of the Red Cross be granted full access to all places where prisoners of war and civilian detainees are held.
The joint statement details widespread abuses documented since the start of Russia's war in 2014, including arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, systematic torture and ill-treatment, sexual violence, unlawful deportation to Russia, forcible transfers within occupied territories, and denial of fair trial rights and family contact. It notes that civilians such as local officials, journalists, activists, volunteers and religious figures remain subject to politically motivated prosecutions and inhumane detention conditions. Russia is accused of preventing independent observers and the press from accessing temporarily occupied territories to cover up these violations.
The statement reaffirms the EU's commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. It reiterates calls for full accountability for international crimes committed in the context of Russia's war, encouraging further efforts within the Council of Europe framework to operationalise the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and the International Claims Commission for Ukraine. The EU and Ukraine also call on all states to intensify coordinated pressure on Russia to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law without further delay.