Exactly 12 months ago, Russia launched an unprovoked, full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This is a flagrant violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and of all fundamental values and principles of international law, as enshrined in the UN Charter. The UN Charter, so dear to the EU and the other members of the democratic community of nations must be protected and upheld.
Russia’s aggression and the unjustified attack against Ukraine is a threat to all democracies, not just to European countries. What is at stake is Ukraine’s independence and the sovereignty to make own policy choices. Additionally, Russia’s invasion generates global economic shockwaves for food security, inflation, disruption of supply chains in key markets like energy and fertilizers, for which Russia is the sole responsible.
The EU will continue to provide strong support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes. The EU and its Member States have mobilized close to €67 billion in economy, emergency and early recovery and €12 billion in military assistance and supplies for Ukraine and its people. We must continue to give Ukraine the support to defend itself against the Russian aggression, territorial integrity and continue on its European Union path.
Like Brazil, the European Union and its member states deplores the violation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine by Russia and the attempted and illegal annexation of parts of its territory as flagrant violations of international law. At yesterday’s vote in the United Nations General Assembly, the EU Member States, Brazil and a majority of UN Members voted in support of the Resolution on the principles underlying a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The UNGA Resolution reiterates the demand that the Russian Federation immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and calls for a cessation of hostilities.
Brazil’s support to Ukraine continues to make a difference at the UN and is a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people, who are the innocent victims of Russia’s aggression. In this context, the EU is fully engaged to reinvigorate our strategic partnership and dialogue with Brazil in all its dimensions.
