These “must stop immediately”
EU accuses Russia of war crimes
3/25/2022 3:44 am
Two weeks ago, the EU refrained from expressly accusing Russia of war crimes in the Versailles final declaration. She catches up on this at the summit in Brussels – and adopts a solidarity fund for Ukraine.
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. “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 explicitly 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.” The final declaration of the current summit now states that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine flagrantly violates international law and leads to massive loss of life and injuries to the civilian population.
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Those responsible and their accomplices would be held accountable in accordance with international law. Coordinated political, financial, material and humanitarian assistance will continue to be provided to Ukraine. In addition, one is ready to quickly decide on further coordinated strong sanctions against Russia and Belarus. Any attempt to circumvent the sanctions that have already been decided or to help Russia in any other way must be stopped.
At their summit meeting, the EU heads of state and government also agreed on a solidarity fund to support Ukraine. A “trust fund for solidarity with Ukraine” is planned, according to the statement. An international donor conference is to be convened for this purpose. A possible date or location is not mentioned.
According to the text, the fund is intended to provide short-term financial assistance, but also support “for the reconstruction of a democratic Ukraine” after a possible ceasefire with Russia. According to information from EU circles, the fund goes back to the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj. In a video speech on Thursday evening, he again asked the heads of state and government for support and energy sanctions against Russia.
The EU had previously launched crisis aid worth 1.2 billion euros for Ukraine. In addition, she wants to double her military aid for the country to one billion euros. Tomorrow the heads of state and government will continue their deliberations around 10 a.m. The main topic is the massive rise in energy prices. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also wants to conclude an agreement on the delivery of liquid gas to Europe with US President Joe Biden in Brussels this morning.