EN: It is alarming that there are more and more reports about | European Commission

EN: It is alarming that there are more and more reports about unspeakable crimes committed against the Ukrainian people by the Russian troops.

What is most disturbing are reports about sexual violence being used as a weapon of war by the Russian troops against women, children, including babies.

This is particularly heinous and shows what kind of people Putin is commanding and sending to Ukraine.

We strongly condemn these horrendous crimes. The perpetrators must be and will be held accountable.

We also strongly condemn any attempts by the Russian occupiers to create illegal parallel administrative structures in the territories of Ukraine they are temporarily occupying.

This includes, for example, introduction of the Russian rouble as a parallel currency to the Ukrainian hryvna in Kherson region, which is temporarily under Russian occupation.

We also strongly condemn the attempts to forcefully introduce Russian schoolbooks, and Russian school curriculum, Russian school programmes in the same region of Ukraine.

All these attempts to unlawfully alter the status of the parts of Ukraine under temporary occupation by the Russian forces are a clear violation of the foundation of the international law, of the UN charter and Ukraine's constitution, its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Russia and its political leadership and military leadership have to be aware that all those involved in such aggressive acts, illegal acts and criminal acts will be held accountable.

Statement by EEAS spokesman Peter Stano 24.05.2022