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The EU, in a statement marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, announced the adoption of the 16th package of sanctions against Russia.
This is stated in a declaration by the presidents of the European Commission, the European Council, and the European Parliament.
The leaders of the EU institutions reminded that Russia and its leadership bear full responsibility for the war and the atrocities committed against the Ukrainian population.
“We continue to call for accountability for all war crimes and crimes against humanity committed. We welcome the recent steps taken towards the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine,” the statement reads.
They also emphasized that, together with its partners, the EU has imposed unprecedented sanctions against Russia and those involved in the war and remains ready to increase pressure on Russia to limit its ability to wage war.
“Today, we have adopted the sixteenth package of sanctions to further strengthen collective pressure on Russia in order to end its war of aggression,” the statement reads.
The European Union and its partners, as noted, acted swiftly and in unity to support Ukraine. The European Union has provided Ukraine with economic, humanitarian, financial, and military aid totaling 135 billion euros, of which 48.7 billion euros is military assistance.
“The European Union will continue to provide Ukraine with regular and predictable financial support, including for the country’s post-war recovery,” the heads of the institutions emphasized.
“At the same time, we have taken unprecedented measures at the EU level to increase the production of the European defense industry, and we will continue to expand our capabilities. This will allow us to strengthen our military support and cooperation with Ukraine while simultaneously enhancing our defense capacity and European sovereignty,” they added.
The statement also emphasized that Ukraine is part of our European family and has already made significant progress in reforms related to EU accession under the most challenging circumstances.
“We are already integrating Ukraine into the EU’s internal market. The future of Ukraine and its citizens is in the European Union,” the EU leaders stated.
“In a complex international and geopolitical environment, we stress the importance of maintaining transatlantic and global solidarity with Ukraine. We emphasize the need to ensure the continuous attention of the international community in supporting Ukraine in achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on Ukraine’s peace formula,” they confirmed.
Last week, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó promised to oppose the extension of EU sanctions against more than 2,400 individuals and organizations, including Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Szijjártó also emphasized that he would try to prevent Brussels from blocking a ‘peace agreement between Russia and the USA.’
