“Ukraine is fighting for the very principles of the United Nations Charter. Sovereignty. Territorial integrity, the respect for internationally recognized borders. The right to choose its own destiny. We cannot rewrite history. This war started with an unjustified and illegal attack by Russia”, said European Council President Antonio Costa in his address to the UN Security Council on Ukraine in New York. “There is only one root cause to this war – Russia’s refusal to accept Ukraine’s right to choose its own future. Peace in Ukraine is not just Ukraine’s interest. It is not just Europe’s interest. It is the interest of the global community. If we accept Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, no country will ever be safe”. “The pursuit of peace”, President Costa added, “must be the top priority of the global community. The European Union will continue to work to end this war of aggression and to support Ukraine in every way”. Therefore, “I call on Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, to agree to come to the negotiation table. To stop the killings. To stop the destruction. To stop threatening its neighbouring countries. […] To achieve an end to the aggression, the European Union will continue to apply pressure on Russia through sanctions. To ensure a lasting peace, the European Union, in the context the Coalition of the Willing, is ready to contribute with concrete security guarantees to Ukraine. To fulfil the aspirations of the Ukrainian people, we will continue to support Ukraine on its path to full membership in the European Union”.