The EU endorses the “legitimate right” of Ukraine to recover the territory stolen by Russia

The European Union recognizes the “legitimate right” of Ukraine to recover the territories annexed by Russia and undertakes to support the Government of Volodímir Zelenski to achieve it. In a solemn statement in response to Vladimir Putin, the heads of state and government of the 27 have assured this Friday that they will never recognize Crimea, Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia as part of Russia. And they are not intimidated by the Kremlin’s threat to use nuclear weapons against anyone who tries to liberate these occupied territories.

“We firmly reject and unequivocally condemn the annexation by Russia from the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson”, reads the statement at the highest possible political level. A highly unusual statement because it was approved unanimously without having to wait for a formal meeting of European leaders, given the emergency situation.

The Kremlin’s action “deliberately” undermines the international order based on rules, “blatantly” violates Ukraine’s fundamental rights and “jeopardizes global security”, say the heads of state and government.

[Putin culmina su chantaje: “Kiev tiene que respetar las anexiones como único camino a la paz”]

“In the face of Russia’s war of aggression and Moscow’s latest escalation, the European Union resolutely supports Ukraine and its people. We are unwavering in our support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine“, underlines the statement.

“Ukraine is exercising its legitimate right to defend itself from Russian aggression in order to regain full control of its territory and has the right to liberate the occupied territories within its internationally recognized borders,” the Twenty-seven maintain.

“The nuclear threats made by the Kremlin, the military mobilization and the strategy of trying to falsely present the territory of Ukraine as part of Russia and pretending that war may now be taking place on the territory of Russia will not shake our resolve“, highlights the statement.

“We do not and will never recognize illegal ‘referendums’ that Russia has designed as a pretext for this new violation of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, nor its falsified and illegal results. We will never recognize this illegal annexation,” European leaders insist.

“These decisions are null and void and cannot produce any legal effect. Crimea, Kherson, Zaporizhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk are Ukraine. We call on all states and international organizations to unequivocally reject this illegal annexation.”

The heads of state and government announce that they will strengthen their sanctions against the illegal actions of the Kremlin (right now they are discussing the eighth package) and “will further increase the pressure on Russia to put an end to its war of aggression”. But they do not explain how they will do it.

“We reiterate that the European Union strongly supports Ukraine and will continue to provide a strong economic, military, social and financial support to Ukraine during as long as it takes“, concludes the statement.