Statement from the embassies of the European Union and its member states present in Argentina (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Sweden), and from the embassies of Australia, Canada, the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom.
Today, February 24, 2022, on the same day that the troops of the Russian Federation have launched an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, we have met, at the initiative of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) in Argentina, the ambassadors or those in charge of the embassies of the 21 EU member states present in Argentina*, the ambassador of the European Union and those of Ukraine, Australia, Canada, the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom. The purpose of the meeting was to analyze the situation, to hear first-hand the latest information provided by the Ukrainian chargé d’affaires, and to express our full solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
We have strongly condemned the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by the armed forces of the Russian Federation, and have reiterated our unwavering support and commitment to Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders. We have also agreed on the need for President Putin to put an immediate end to Russian military operations and unconditionally withdraw all military forces from the entire territory of Ukraine. Our countries have worked together to put forward a coordinated set of international sanctions with the ability to escalate in response to new Russian actions and aggression.
We believe that all countries with a democratic will must demand that Russia cease this aggression, which is a flagrant violation of international law and universally recognized human rights (HR).
We emphasize the importance of Argentina, as the presidency of the Human Rights Council, continuing to defend human rights and the principles enshrined in the United Nations charter, in particular the defense of the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the rejection of the use of force.
*Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Sweden