Russia’s war against Ukraine already has global consequences, and the international community must use all available leverage on Russia to bring it to an end, European Council President António Costa said during his address to the UN General Assembly in New York.
“We know that conflicts never remain purely local. They have consequences for food security, energy markets, migration, development and global stability. We see this with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine,” Costa said.
He stressed that Russia had chosen to start a war whose consequences are now being felt globally.
“A devastating act of aggression against a sovereign state, committed by a permanent member of the Security Council in violation of the Charter of the United Nations and international law,” Costa said.
He also stressed that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine threatens the safety of civilians beyond Ukraine’s borders.
“It is unacceptable that over the past twelve months Russia has repeatedly endangered the security of European Union member states. Russia must stop this dangerous escalation,” the European Council President said.
Costa called on the international community to “mobilise all available leverage on Russia to bring this war to an end and create the conditions for negotiations aimed at achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.”
“This war must end,” Costa concluded.
