7 years of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine led to military expansion on Europe’s southern flank, created an ever-increasing security and hybrid threat to the broader region of Eastern and Southeastern Europe, the Azov-Black Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. The aggression has already caused and continues to cause numerous casualties among both civilians and the military.

Russia's aggression against Ukraine continues to destabilize the European continent. Russia uses a wide arsenal of hybrid tools to create instability in neighboring countries and undermine their statehood and sovereignty.

The democratic world must respond firmly to Russia's persistent violation of human rights and international humanitarian law. Russia’s temporary occupation authorities have turned the occupied territories into a ghetto of lawlessness in the middle of the European continent. Ukrainian Crimea and some areas of Donbas, which are occupied by Russia, have become places of terror and arbitrariness.

The Russian occupation has also posed long-reaching environmental threats to Europe and the Black Sea region.

Together, Ukraine and the international community must unwaveringly oppose the aggressive war of the Russian Federation and support the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

International sanctions are helping to curb Russia's aggressive policies, but more effective measures are needed to return the situation to the framework of rule of law and restore security in the region.