“We pay tribute to the brave people of Ukraine, who continue to resist and defend their country”. This has been written earlier today in a Joint Statement by the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Parliament. Having failed to achieve its military goals in Ukraine, Russia “deliberately targets Ukrainian civilian and critical infrastructure”, the European leaders decry, while “Ukrainians remain formidable in their fortitude, determination and resilience”. The text mentions the EU’s actions and support to Ukraine and to its population over the last four years. “Our objective is a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law”, go on the leaders, who are ready to “support all efforts aimed at achieving such a peace” of which “respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is the cornerstone”. And they stress “the importance of maintaining transatlantic and global solidarity with Ukraine” right now. “Putin’s war of attrition is steadily wearing Russia down”, the text goes on. The EU is steadfast on putting further pressure on Russia to stop its aggression and engage in meaningful negotiations towards peace and “will increase the pressure on Russia’s energy and financial sector and take additional measures against the shadow fleet”. Next to this, they are ready to contribute to robust and credible security guarantees to ensure that Russia can never attack Ukraine again, to make sure Russia will be held accountable for the crimes committed and the damage it has caused, and to support Ukraine’s accession and post-war reconstruction. “We stand firm with Ukraine”, the statement ends, “for a just and lasting peace. For a strong and sovereign Ukraine in a strong and sovereign Europe”.