The President of the European Council Antonio Costa said today in his speech to the UN General Assembly that Russia's aggression threatens not only Ukraine, but also every nation in the UN, the UN reported.
“If we accept the Russian invasion of Ukraine, no country will be safe anymore“, he said.
According to him, there is only one main reason for this war – “Russia's refusal to accept Ukraine's right to choose its own future.“
“For more than three years, this war has claimed innocent lives, destroyed cities and fueled global insecurity“, he stressed in his speech.
“Our collective security is linked to Ukraine's resilience. The European Union firmly supports Ukraine in its fight for a just and lasting peace, in its efforts to end the killings and bring Russia to the negotiating table“, Costa declared.
The European Union also supports Ukraine on its path to full EU membership, the Council President added.
He stressed that the EU would continue to put pressure on Russia.
“We call for substantive negotiations, for an immediate ceasefire and for a just and lasting peace. This is not just Ukraine's fight. This is a fight for principles that we all hold dear," he concluded.
Costa said that a negotiated two-state solution - Israel and Palestine - is the only path to peace in the Middle East.
"Security for both peoples. Dignity for both peoples. This is the solution we are looking for," he said, adding that the European Union was "an indispensable partner in the region."
Costa announced that the EU was "the largest provider of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians". "European funding supports hospitals, schools and institutions," he said.
In his words, "over the years, the EU has been the biggest supporter of the Palestinian Authority. "We supported her in her reform programme and in her efforts to ensure effective control over Palestine," Costa said.
"The European Union is fully shouldering its responsibilities. But we cannot stop this humanitarian catastrophe alone. Peace in the Middle East requires a collective response," the European Council President said.
"We must act together and demand the unconditional release of all hostages, an immediate ceasefire, full and unhindered access for humanitarian organisations, an end to illegal settlements and a commitment to a two-state solution," Costa said.
He made his remarks against the backdrop of violence in Gaza and the increasing number of civilian casualties. Last week, a UN panel described Israel's military offensive in Gaza as genocide, and human rights groups have called for intervention in the enclave to prevent a deepening humanitarian crisis there. Israel rejects the UN report, saying its allegations are false and the offensive is aimed at "Hamas", not civilians.
The war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when groups led by the "Hamas" movement attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking about 251 hostages in Gaza, according to Israeli figures. So far, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 64,000 people have been killed in the enclave.
Amid the war in Gaza, Israel carried out an airstrike in the Qatari capital Doha earlier this month, targeting Hamas leaders who were participating in ceasefire talks. The strike drew condemnation from the United Nations and a number of Arab states, including Qatar. The European Union expressed solidarity with Qatar, while Israel defended its actions as legitimate self-defense.
Costa said earlier this week that a majority of EU member states now recognize a Palestinian state. – – There is only one way forward - the two-state solution. A secure and recognized state of Israel. An independent, democratic, viable state of Palestine. Living together“, he commented on the “Ex“ platform.
Earlier at the UN General Assembly, several EU member states, including France and Belgium, announced that they recognize the existence of a Palestinian state.
Costa said that the EU will continue to work with all partners in a spirit of global solidarity.
“The European Union knows its place. We are a project for peace and social justice. We are and will remain steadfast defenders of multilateralism, of the rules-based international order and of the Charter of the United Nations,“, Costa said from the UN rostrum.
He said that the alternative to the rules-based international order was a “chaotic and violent world”, and cited the conflicts in Sudan, the Gaza Strip and Ukraine as examples.
“We are building a powerful global network of partnerships. With Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Arab world, Asia and the Pacific”, Costa said.
He said that in today's “multipolar world, there is no Global South or Global North” and the European Union will continue to work with all partners.
“At a time when multilateralism is under threat, let me make you a simple promise: You can count on the European Union. Count on us to stand for peace”, Costa concluded.