The European Union has accused Russia of committing war crimes in Ukraine, with the final communiqué of the summit in Brussels stressing that Moscow must be "held accountable as required by international law".
"Russia is launching attacks against the civilian population and targeting civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, health facilities, schools and shelters," the text of the European Council conclusions reads.
"These war crimes must stop immediately," it adds.
The European Council's conclusions are as follows:
1. Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine is in flagrant violation of international law and is causing massive loss of life and injury to civilians. Russia is attacking the civilian population and targeting civilian targets, including hospitals, medical facilities, schools and shelters. These war crimes must stop immediately. Those responsible and their accomplices will be held accountable in accordance with international law. The siege of Mariupol and other Ukrainian cities and the denial of access to humanitarian aid by the Russian military forces are unacceptable. Russian forces must immediately provide safe escape routes to other parts of Ukraine, as well as humanitarian aid to be delivered to Mariupol and other besieged cities.
2. The European Council urges Russia to urgently guarantee the safe passage of civilians trapped in all other war zones to a destination of their choice, immediately release all hostages, provide humanitarian access and establish humanitarian corridors. It also urges Russia to fully respect its obligations under international law.
3. The European Council demands that Russia immediately cease its military offensive on the territory of Ukraine, immediately and unconditionally withdraw all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine and fully respect the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.
4. The European Union stands by Ukraine and its people and the European Council reaffirms the Versailles Declaration, recognising Ukraine's European aspirations and European choice, as stated in the Association Agreement. The European Council reiterates its invitation to the Commission to submit its opinion in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaties. The European Union will continue to provide coordinated political, financial, material and humanitarian support. The European Union has so far adopted important sanctions which have a huge impact on Russia and Belarus and remains ready to impose further coordinated and severe sanctions on Russia and Belarus. The European Council calls on all countries to align themselves with these sanctions. Any attempt to circumvent the sanctions or assist Russia by other means must be stopped.
5. The Russian military offensive against Ukraine has forced millions of people to flee their homes. Many of them have found shelter and safety in the European Union, thanks to the Temporary Protection Mechanism. Particular attention must be paid to the needs of the most vulnerable and to measures to prevent and detect human trafficking. The European Council pays tribute to all citizens, organisations and governments across Europe who have shown solidarity with those who have fled this terrible war.
6. This crisis represents a major challenge for the infrastructure and public services of the host states, particularly on the border with Ukraine. The European Council acknowledges all efforts already made to welcome refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine and calls on all Member States to intensify their efforts in a continued spirit of unity and solidarity and invites the Commission to take all necessary initiatives to facilitate such efforts. It also calls for work to be urgently completed on the Commission's recent proposals for Member State support to ensure that EU funding for refugees can be mobilised quickly and calls on the Commission to work on additional proposals to strengthen EU support in this area.
7. The European Union is committed to ensuring continuous and uninterrupted flows of electricity and gas to Ukraine. The recent synchronisation of Ukraine's and Moldova's electricity networks with EU networks is a remarkable achievement. It shows that our future is now interconnected. The safety of Ukrainian nuclear facilities must be ensured, including with the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
8. Bearing in mind the devastation and huge losses suffered by Ukraine as a result of Russia's military offensive, the European Union is committed to providing support to the Ukrainian government for its immediate needs and, once the Russian offensive has ended, for the reconstruction of a democratic Ukraine. To this end, the European Council agrees to establish a Ukraine Solidarity Trust Fund and invites its international partners to participate and calls for preparations to begin without delay. It calls on the Commission to continue to provide technical assistance to help Ukraine implement the necessary reforms
9. The European Council calls for the organisation of an international conference in due course to raise funding from the Ukraine Solidarity Trust Fund.
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