EU will never recognize occupied Ukrainian territories as Russian

EU Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis declared during a General Assembly debate that the European Union will never acknowledge the occupied Ukrainian territories as part of Russia. Speaking on behalf of the EU and its member states, Lambrinidis emphasized that Crimea, Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia are Ukrainian territories and that Russia's actions are unlawful.

He denounced the forced Russification of people and communities, as well as the illegitimate elections organized by the Russian occupiers. According to Lambrinidis, Russia's objective is to alter the demographic makeup of the occupied areas through forced transfers and deportations, including of children, which he deemed illegal and disgraceful.

The EU pledged to maintain its support for Ukraine in self-defense, address humanitarian needs, and participate in diplomatic efforts to end the war. Russia was urged to cease its "illegal war of aggression and occupation," accept a ceasefire, and engage in negotiations for a just and lasting peace in line with international law and the UN Charter.

The EU also called for an end to the deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children, which the UN Commission of Inquiry deemed war crimes, and for the immediate, safe, and unconditional return of children unlawfully deported or transferred from Ukraine.