The war in Ukraine “has now entered a new chapter. Amid deepening geopolitical complexities and the unpredictability of actions taken by some members of the international community, we call on the European Union and its Member States to remain united in their commitment to supporting Ukraine and its people”. This is the call made today by the Presidency of the Commission of Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) in a Statement “in support of Ukraine and its people amid deepening geopolitical complexities and uncertainties”. “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law”, the European Bishops write. “The use of force to alter national borders and the atrocious acts committed against the civilian population are not only unjustifiable, but demand a consequent pursuit of justice and accountability. A comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine can only be achieved through negotiations”. COMECE adds: “Any credible and sincere dialogue effort should be supported by continued strong transatlantic and global solidarity and it must involve the victim of the aggression: Ukraine. We firmly reject any attempts to distort the reality of this aggression. In order to be sustainable and just, a future peace accord must fully respect international law and be underpinned by effective security guarantees to prevent the conflict from re-erupting. The peace agreement must establish the necessary conditions to ensure that Ukrainian families can reunite again and live a life in dignity, security and freedom in their sovereign and independent homeland”. Again, the Bishops call on the EU “to advance with the enlargement process in a timely and fair manner alongside other candidate countries”.   “Moreover, as the contours of a new global security architecture are currently being redrawn, it is our profound hope that the European Union will remain faithful to its vocation to be a promise of peace and an anchor of stability to its neighbourhood and to the world”.