EU Seeks Humanitarian Access To Russian-Occupied Oleshky

The European Union is concerned about the humanitarian situation in Oleshky, a city located in the Kherson region of Ukraine and currently occupied by Russian forces. Eva Hrnčířová, a spokesperson for the European Commission, stated on September 29 that the EU is working closely with international partners to ensure unhindered access for aid to civilians in the city.

Speaking from Brussels, Hrnčířová emphasized that international humanitarian law obligates the provision of essential assistance to civilians affected by armed conflict.

The EU is advocating for unrestricted humanitarian access to Oleshky, without any form of discrimination or obstruction. Hrnčířová further stated that civilians must also be permitted to leave the conflict-affected areas safely and voluntarily. She pointed out that substantial obstacles are currently preventing humanitarian organizations from reaching Oleshky, including the absence of humanitarian corridors.

Hrnčířová explained that the EU is collaborating with various humanitarian partners and Ukraine itself to address the issue. The European Commission spokesperson emphasized that these efforts are part of the EU's overarching humanitarian assistance mechanism, through which the EU has been supporting Ukraine since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion.

The Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, has also expressed alarm over the dire humanitarian conditions in Oleshky, where Ukrainian authorities and international organizations have reported severe shortages and difficulties in evacuating civilians.

Oleshky has been under Russian occupation since the early stages of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.