Russia and its officials will be held accountable for crimes in Ukraine - Borrell
EU High Representative Josep Borrell said this in a statement published on the website of the European External Action Service, Ukrinform reports.
"Russia has no right under international law, as confirmed most recently by the ICJ, to use unilateral force on the territory of a third country and thus bears full responsibility for these acts of military aggression and all the destruction and loss of life it causes. The perpetrators of these serious violations and war crimes, as well as the responsible government officials and military leaders will be held accountable," the statement said.
It says the EU condemns in the strongest possible terms the Russian Armed Forces and their proxies continued targeting of Ukraine’s civilian population and civilian infrastructure, as well as their siege of the city of Mariupol.
In addition, Human Rights Watch reports that Russian forces attacked the city of Mykolaiv with cluster munition rockets in three separate attacks.
"Such deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are shameful, reprehensible and totally unacceptable. They constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law. In line with the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of 16 March, Russia must cease its military action and withdraw all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine immediately and unconditionally, fully respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognized borders," Borrell said.
He also said the EU calls on Russia to establish unhindered humanitarian access to Ukraine.
On February 24, Russian President Putin announced a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops have been shelling and destroying infrastructure, residential areas of Ukrainian cities and villages using artillery, multiple rocket launchers and ballistic missiles.
Martial law was imposed in Ukraine and general mobilization was announced.
