EU: We will never recognize illegal annexations by Russia

“THE Russia endangers global security”, emphasize the members of the European Council, underlining that they reject “categorically” and condemn “unequivocally the illegal annexation by the Russia of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions». “We will never recognize” “illegal” annexations, the statement said.

“We do not and will never recognize the illegal “referendums” that Russia conducted as a pretext for this further violation of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, nor their falsified and illegal results. We will never recognize this illegal attachments. These decisions are void and cannot produce any legal effect. Crimea, Kherson, Zaporizhia, Donetsk and Luhansk are the Ukraine. We call on all states and international organizations to categorically reject this illegal annexation,” the member states note.

At the same time, they underline that in view of Russia’s war of aggression as well as Moscow’s latest escalation, the European Union stands resolutely on the side of Ukraine and its people.

“We are unwavering in our support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Ukraine is exercising its legal right to defend itself against Russian aggression to regain full control of its territory and has the right to liberate occupied territories within its internationally recognized borders. The Kremlin’s nuclear threats, military mobilization and strategy of seeking to misrepresent Ukraine’s territory as Russian and claim that war can now be fought on Russian soil will not shake our resolve,” the states said. -members.

“We will strengthen our restrictive measures to counter Russia’s illegal actions. They will further increase the pressure on Russia to end its war of aggression.

We reiterate that the European Union stands firmly by Ukraine’s side and will continue to provide strong financial, military, social and economic support to Ukraine for as long as needed,” the statement concluded.