Brussels, 10 October 2022
Today High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell had a phone call with Ukrainian Foreign affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba to discuss Russia’s latest indiscriminate attacks. High Representative Borrell condemned in the strongest possible terms the heinous attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure by Russia in several Ukrainian cities and regions, including the centre of Kyiv, Kyiv region, Dnipro, Ivano Frankivsk region, Kharkiv region, Khmelnytsky region, Kirovohrad region, Lviv, Mykolaiv, Sumy region, Ternopil, Vinnitsya Zaporizhzhia region and Zhytomyr region.
These are barbaric and cowardly attacks on purely civilian infrastructure, including homes, streets, parks, playgrounds and other public places, targeting innocent civilians on their way to work and school in the morning traffic. High Representative expressed his condolences to the victims of the Russian missile attacks, their families and the Ukrainian people.
With these attacks Russia aims to do maximum harm. The indiscriminate targeting of civilians is prohibited under international humanitarian law and amounts to war crimes.
High Representative made clear that Russia’s political and military leadership and its accomplice – regime of Lukashenko in Belarus as well as all those responsible and involved in these and other war crimes committed in Ukraine will be held accountable.
He underlined in particular that the EU saw how Belarus government falsely accused Ukraine – who is a victim, not an aggressor – of allegedly planning an attack on the territory of Belarus. Such unfounded accusations are utterly unacceptable.
As to Lukashenko announcement to deploy a joint Belarusian and Russian regional group of troops, he urged the Belarus authorities to refrain from any further involvement of Belarus in this brutal illegitimate undertaking and in particular immediately stop allowing the territory of Belarus to serve as a launchpad for attacks against Ukrainian civilians.
He commended the Ukrainian people’s strength, courage, and resistance to withstand Russia’s war of aggression, and stands with them in firm solidarity. The EU will continue its political, military and economic support to Ukraine for as long as needed and to the extent needed.
Source – EEAS
Statement by EU Commission President von der Leyen on the attacks on Ukrainian cities
Brussels, 10 October 2022