Official statements regarding the situation in Ukraine (V)

The European Documentation Center of Almeria collects in this entry the latest news, meetings and institutional statements regarding the situation between Ukraine and Russia. To consult all the content of each news item, we suggest to follow the indicated links.

March 20

The European Union condemns in the strongest possible terms the behaviour of the Russian occupation troops and their proxies who are detaining, abducting or kidnapping Ukrainian journalists, civil society activists, local officials and other civilians in Ukrainian territories temporarily under the illegal and illegitimate control by the Russian Armed Forces.

Ukraine: Statement by the Spokesperson on the abductions of Ukrainian officials and citizens by Russian occupation troops

March 18

Millions of Ukrainians are seeking shelter in the European Union – torn from their families and country by Putin’s bombs. The scenes of war are devastating. But the images of European citizens welcoming refugees show another picture – they show hope.

Speech by President von der Leyen at the 8th Cohesion Forum

Since the start of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, more than 3 million people have fled the country, with UN estimates suggesting that more than half of them are children. To respond to this unprecedented situation, the EU agreed in record time to activate the Temporary Protection Directive to help people fleeing war in Ukraine. The Directive became immediately applicable on 4 March and now offers immediate protection and a clear legal status to millions of people.

Ukraine refugees: Operational guidelines to support Member States in applying the Temporary Protection Directive

March 17

On Wednesday, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe decided to cease the membership of the Russian Federation in the Council of Europe as from 16 March. The decision was taken based on Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) unanimous opinion, adopted following Russia’s grave violations of the Council of Europe Statute in accordance with the due procedures.

Council of Europe: Statement by the High Representative on the cessation of Russia’s membership

Ministerial Joint Statement on the Russian Elites, Proxies, and Oligarchs Task Force by the European Commission, the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom

Ministerial Joint Statement on the Russian Elites, Proxies, and Oligarchs Task Force

The Council adopted a decision on the signing of a status agreement between the EU and the Republic of Moldova regarding operational activities carried out by Frontex. The agreement will be signed today, so that Frontex operational support can be provided to Moldova as soon as possible under the provisional application of the agreement.

Moldova: Council adopts decision to sign agreement for Frontex operational support in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

The European Commission’s ‘Freeze and Seize’ Task Force, set up to ensure EU-level coordination to implement sanctions against listed Russian and Belarussian oligarchs, has now stepped up its action at international level.  It will work alongside the newly established ‘Russian Elites, Proxies, and Oligarchs (REPO)’ Task Force, under which the EU operates together with the G7 countries Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as Australia.

Enforcing sanctions against listed Russian and Belarussian oligarchs

The European Union condemns in the strongest possible terms the Russian Armed Forces and their proxies continued targeting of Ukraine’s civilian population and civilian infrastructure, as well as their siege of the city of Mariupol.

Ukraine: Statement by the High Representative on the targeting of civilians by Russia

The German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock chaired a video conference of the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union.

G7: Chair’s Statement on yesterday’s call

High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell concluded his visit to three countries in the Western Balkans in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 16 March.

The High Representative visited the EU Operation EUFOR Althea, received by COMEUFOR Major General Anton General Wessely.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: High Representative/Vice-President Borrell visited Sarajevo to confirm EU’s unwavering commitment to peace, safety and stability

March 14

“Exactly two years ago, in mid-March 2020, in the middle of the pandemic crisis we were taking important decisions. You may remember the first important decisions were taken exactly in mid-March by the ECB and the Commission on fiscal rules and on State-aid rules.

Two years after we are facing a war on our border. So the first message from all of us, as Paschal said, is a message of support and of solidarity.”

Press remarks by Commissioner Gentiloni at the Eurogroup press conference

“My thoughts go first and foremost to the victims of Russia’s terrible aggression in Ukraine. The harrowing pictures of human suffering have touched us all. The European Union and our international partners have mobilised fully to support the people of Ukraine, to isolate Russia and to maximise the price that will be paid by Putin’s regime as they pursue their awful policies.”

Remarks by Paschal Donohoe following the Eurogroup meeting of 14 March 2022

 

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News and statements prior to March 7:

Institutional statements regarding the situation in Ukraine (III) 28 February – 6 March

 

Institutional statements regarding the situation in Ukraine (II) 21-27 February.

 

Institutional statements regarding the situation in Ukraine (I) February 14-20