EU Ministers vow to hold Russia accountable for 2022 Bucha atrocities

European Union Foreign Ministers, joined by their Ukrainian counterpart, convened on Tuesday in Kyiv to commemorate the victims of the 2022 Bucha massacre.

Also to unequivocally reaffirm their commitment to holding the Russian Federation accountable for violations of international law in Ukraine.

The Bucha atrocities took place primarily in March 2022, while the city was under the control of Russian troops from approximately March 5 to March 31.

Evidence of the massacre emerged in early April 2022, immediately following the withdrawal of Russian forces from the region, revealing scene of widespread devastation and human rights violations.

Investigations by the United Nations and human rights organizations documented that at least 419 individuals were killed with weapons, many showing signs of summary execution, such as having their hands bound behind their backs and being shot at close range.

The joint statement, issued by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and representatives from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus.
Other are Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Ukraine.

They underscored the gravity of the atrocities committed during Russia’s temporary occupation of parts of the Kyiv region.

The Ministers honored the memory of those who suffered mass killings, torture, sexual violence, forced deportations, and other severe breaches of international humanitarian and human rights law in Bucha and other Ukrainian cities, towns, and villages.
The statement emphasized that the evidence gathered after the withdrawal of Russian forces necessitates full and comprehensive accountability.

The EU and its member states reiterated their dedication to ensuring accountability for war crimes and other grave offenses linked to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

They welcomed recent advancements within the Council of Europe, supported by the EU, towards the operationalization of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and the establishment of the International Claims Commission for Ukraine.
Furthermore, the Ministers expressed support for investigations by the International Criminal Court and urged full cooperation from all State Parties.

The ministers stressed that accountability is a crucial component of achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace, as well as upholding international law.

As Russia’s war of aggression enters its fifth year, the statement concluded with a reaffirmation of the EU’s firm, unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, in accordance with the principles of United Nations Charter and international law.