OPENING

President, Honourable Members of the European Parliament,

Russias war of aggression against Ukraine has had a devastating impact: the killings and suffering of civilians whose cities are subjected to air raids targeting civilian infrastructure; the suffering of those illegally detained by Russia, of prisoners of war subjected to torture and inhumane treatment, and of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children to Russia; the suffering of those who struggle to earn their living among war-induced hardship.

The Commission stands firm in its condemnation of the numerous, well-documented violations of international humanitarian law by Russia. This principled position translates into concrete action in support of the efforts of Ukraine and other members of the international community to ensure accountability.

First, supporting the International Criminal Court in its ongoing investigations against Russian perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity. This has been possible since 2014, with Ukraines recognition of the Courts jurisdiction under Article 12.3 of the Rome Statute. This has become even more straightforward with Ukraine having completed the ratification of the Rome Statute and becoming a full-fledged State Party to the ICC on 1 January this year: a long-standing point of EU-Ukraine political dialogue and a commitment under the Association Agreement with the EU.

Second, supporting Ukraines own capacity to prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity. As part of its commitments stemming from the ratification of the Rome Statute, Ukraine has recently adopted relevant amendments to its Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code. The EU has actively participated in the international Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group, which supports the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine in investigating and prosecuting international crimes committed during Russias full-scale invasion. The Commission also supports numerous non-governmental initiatives in Ukraine, engaged in activities such as on-the-ground documentation of atrocities, collection of witness testimonies, and support to civilians illegally detained by Russia.

Third, given the current gap in the ICCs jurisdiction over Russias crime of aggression against Ukraine, the Commission and High Representative have been actively involved in work on the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. Most recently, HRVP Kallas and Commissioner McGrath joined representatives of an international coalition of states gathered in the Core Group at their high-level meeting in Lviv on 9 May, endorsing texts agreed by legal experts which will lead to the establishment of this Tribunal. These texts will subsequently be transformed into legal acts of the Council of Europe.

Fourth, the Commission supports efforts to establish an International Claims Commission for Ukraine. On 4 February 2025, the Commission adopted a Recommendation to the Council in this regard.

Finally, let me stress that the human cost of this war goes beyond the immediate suffering. The war has left Ukraine with a diminished workforce and a severely strained economy. This will profoundly affect the countrys ability to rebuild. Reconstruction is not just a financial task – it is a human one, and the long-term social and economic consequences must be acknowledged alongside the legal and political efforts. The Commission remains committed to engage in reforms that will enable rebuilding the economy and infrastructure in Ukraine, once the war is over; keeping Rule of Law in its very centre. Next month I will be in the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, where I will also be discussing the human aspects of Ukraines reconstruction.

Because behind every shattered school, every ruined hospital, and every empty village is a life interrupted – and it is our responsibility to help restore the future they were forced to put on hold.

Thank you.

CLOSING

President, Honourable Members,

Thank you for the support expressed in this room for the efforts to end the war through a comprehensive, just, and sustainable peace – and to ensure accountability.

The diplomatic efforts to stop the war, as presented by the representative of the Council, are indeed essential to ending the ongoing suffering of the people of Ukraine. We join Ukraine and international partners, including the United States, in calling for a full, unconditional ceasefire of at least 30 days.  

Alongside this track, it is no less important to continue the work of ensuring accountability for war crimes. Justice must be rendered to the victims of Russian aggression, and, in the long term, impunity must not be allowed to pave the way for future crimes.

Thank you.