EU Officials: Russia Has Not Achieved Its Goals, We Stand With Ukraine

(Patria) - Today marks four years since Russia launched a full-scale and illegal aggression against Ukraine. We once again pay tribute and express our deep respect to the brave people of Ukraine, who continue to resist and defend their homeland with determination, according to a joint statement by President of the European Council Charles Michel, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and President Roberta Metsola.

We are sharing the statement in full below:

"Russia has not achieved its military objectives in Ukraine. As it cannot advance on the battlefield, it is deliberately targeting Ukrainian civilian and critical infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, hospitals, schools, and residential buildings, in the midst of a harsh winter. Ukrainians remain exceptional in their courage, determination, and resilience.

The European Union has stood firmly with Ukraine and its people since the first day of Russia's aggression. Our goal is a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace for Ukraine, based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law. We support all efforts aimed at achieving such a peace – a peace with dignity and long-term security. Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is a fundamental principle. No country can annex its neighbor. Borders cannot be changed by force. An aggressor cannot be rewarded. In the current challenging international and geopolitical environment, we emphasize the importance of maintaining transatlantic and global solidarity with Ukraine.

The European Union will continue to provide comprehensive political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people. We remain Ukraine's largest donor. In addition to almost €200 billion in support since 2022, European leaders have agreed to provide Ukraine with €90 billion for 2026–2027 to help it meet its urgent budgetary and defense needs and remain strong in the face of Russian attacks. Of this support package, €60 billion will be allocated to military needs ("Hedgehog Program"). The first disbursement will be made as soon as possible.

This winter, the EU and its member states have provided Ukraine with unprecedented energy assistance, along with air defense and anti-drone systems, as well as humanitarian aid. The new support package includes the urgent delivery of generators and humanitarian assistance. To strengthen Ukraine's energy resilience and prevent a recurrence of today's emergency, we are working with Ukraine on a new energy security and preparedness plan, focused on repairing and strengthening networks, quickly restarting damaged power plants, and accelerating the deployment of decentralized renewable energy generation.

Putin's war of attrition is gradually weakening Russia, and we are determined to further increase pressure on Russia to stop its aggression and engage in meaningful peace negotiations. We are determined to increase pressure on Russia's energy and financial sectors and to take further measures against the so-called "shadow fleet".

But our efforts to support Ukraine are also focused on the day after – when the fighting stops. The European Union and its member states, within their respective competences, are ready to contribute to strong and credible security guarantees to ensure that Russia can never again attack Ukraine.

We will ensure that Russia is held accountable for the crimes committed and the damage it has caused. We are committed to establishing a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and an International Commission for Claims against Ukraine, both within the framework of the Council of Europe, as soon as possible.

The future of a secure and prosperous Ukraine lies within the European Union. Ukraine has made significant progress in reforms on its path to EU accession, despite extremely difficult circumstances. Ukraine can count on our full support on its path to EU membership and in its post-war reconstruction.

We stand firmly with Ukraine. For a just and lasting peace. For a strong and sovereign Ukraine in a strong and sovereign Europe."