The European Union accuses Russia of committing war crimes in Ukraine. Russia is attacking the civilian population and is targeting hospitals, schools and shelters, among other things, according to a statement by the EU summit in Brussels published early Friday morning. And: “These war crimes must stop immediately.”
On Wednesday, the US government officially accused Russian troops in Ukraine of war crimes for the first time. “Our assessment is based on a careful review of available information from public and intelligence sources,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. US President Joe Biden temporarily attended the EU summit as a guest on Thursday.
War crimes are violations of international law that can be brought before the International Criminal Court. War crimes include the targeted killing and starvation of civilians, the obstruction of humanitarian aid, and the use of nuclear or chemical weapons.
In its declaration at the Versailles summit two weeks ago, the EU had refrained from expressly using the term “war crimes”. Even then, however, there was talk of “indiscriminate attacks on the civilian population and civilian objects”. “Russia’s groundless and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine grossly violates international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.”
In the Closing statement of the current summit It is now said that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine flagrantly violates international law and has resulted in massive loss of life and injuries to civilians. Those responsible and their accomplices would be held accountable in accordance with international law.
Among other things, Russian troops bombed this hospital complex with a maternity hospital and children’s hospital in Mariupol, which was destroyed on March 10Photo: Twitter/@ZelenskyyUa
Solidarity fund approved
The EU states have decided to set up a solidarity fund to provide financial support to Ukraine. This emerges from a statement by the heads of state and government published on Friday night at the summit in Brussels.
The text reads: “Considering the destruction and enormous losses inflicted on Ukraine by Russia’s military aggression, the European Union is committed to assisting the Ukrainian government in its immediate needs and after the end of the Russian offensive in rebuilding a democratic Ukraine support.”
In addition, they are ready to decide on further coordinated strong sanctions against Russia and Belarus in the near future. Any attempt to circumvent the sanctions that have already been decided or to help Russia in any other way must be stopped.