EU Ministers in Bucha: Evidence of Russia's war crimes demands full accountability

This is stated in a joint declaration issued on the occasion of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, Ukrinform reports.

"We gathered today in Kyiv and in Bucha to commemorate the victims of the mass atrocities in Bucha, committed during Russia's temporary occupation of parts of the Kyiv region in 2022… We reaffirm our commitment to ensuring full accountability for war crimes and the other most serious crimes committed in connection with Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine," the European diplomats said.

They welcomed recent progress achieved within the Council of Europe, with the support of the European Union, toward launching a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine and establishing an International Compensation Commission for Ukraine.

The authors of the statement also expressed support for the International Criminal Court's investigation into the situation in Ukraine and called on all States Parties to fully cooperate.

"We emphasise that accountability is an indispensable element of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, as well as upholding international law," the statement stressed.

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Delegation of EU ministers honored the memory of victims of the Russian occupation in Bucha / Photo: Volodymyr Tarasov, Ukrinform

The joint declaration was issued on behalf of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, as well as Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Cyprus, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Ukraine.

As Ukrinform previously reported, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, EU ministers, and Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha honored the memory of victims of the Russian occupation in Bucha, Kyiv region.