Ukraine has the right to liberate all temporarily occupied territories, including Crimea - EU

This is said in an EU statement made during a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“Last week, the international community, here at the OSCE and other international organisations, showed continued unity in unwavering support of and solidarity with Ukraine. Our governments and our people made it clear: we stand with Ukraine as it exercises its inherent right to self-defence against Russia’s war of aggression, in accordance with international law, notably Article 51 of the UN Charter, and will continue doing so for as long as it takes,” the statement reads.

The European Union commended the courage and determination of the Ukrainian people in their fight to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and freedom of Ukraine.

“Ukraine has the right to liberate and regain full control of all Russian-occupied territories within its internationally recognised borders, including Crimea,” the statement says.

It is also noted that on 26 February, Ukraine marked the Resistance Day to Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol.

“We recall the Joint Statement of the Participants of the International Crimea Platform and repeat in a strong and united voice: Crimea is Ukraine!” the statement says.

The statement also stresses that the European Union and its Member States will continue to support Ukraine in political, economic, humanitarian, financial and military terms, including through swift coordinated procurement from European industry.

“We will also support Ukraine’s reconstruction, for which we will strive to use frozen and immobilised Russian assets in accordance with EU and international law. We will further increase collective pressure on Russia to end its war of aggression,” the statement says.

Moreover, the European Union, together with its international partners, “will make sure that Ukraine prevails, that international law is respected, that peace and Ukraine’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders are restored, that Ukraine is rebuilt, and that justice is done.”