Remarks by EU Ambassador RaimundasKaroblis

Ukrainianambassador, H.E. Mr. MarkiianChuchuk

FourYearsofUkraine’sStrugglefor Freedom

Fouryears after Russia launcheditsfull-scaleinvasion, Ukraine continuestodefenditsfreedom, independence and sovereignty in fullaccordancewithArticle 51 ofthe UN Charter.*Russia’s war ofaggressionhascausedcatastrophic human losses. Russianlosses in killed and woundednowexceedonemillion.

Russia’s territorial gainsremain minimal and havecome at an enormous human cost.

The drivingforcebehindthis war istheKremlin’sobsessionwith imperial greatness and itscompletedisregardfor human life. Russiancitizensarepayingwiththeirlivesfortheideologicalillusionsoftheirleadership.

Ukraine ispaying an enormousprice: tensofthousandsoflives lost, childrenabducted, millionsofrefugees and internallydisplacedpersons, and massive destructionofcivilian and economicinfrastructure — includingRussian large-scaleattacks on energyfacilitiesthathavetriggeredhumanitariancrises in majorcities.

Ukraine seekspeace and remains open todiplomacy, asrepeatedlystatedbyPresident Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, peacethroughdiplomacyrequirespolitical will and readinesstocompromisefrombothsides — conditionsthatarecurrently absent on theRussianside.

DraftpeaceplansthatlegitimizeRussianoccupation, annexationor territorial concessions at Ukraine’sexpenseareperceivedbyUkrainiansasappeasementoftheaggressor — with grave consequencesfor Ukraine and international security.

Support for Ukraine is not charity; itis a rational investment in sharedsecurity. By containing an aggressive and terroristregime, Ukraine ismaking a vital contributionto European and global stability.Russia iswaging a colonial war in the 21^stcenturywhilecynicallyexploiting anti-colonialrhetoric, especially in its outreach tothe Global South. Discussing anti-colonialismor global and regional securitywith an aggressorstateis like discussingvegetarianismwith a man-eatingbear.

* We do not asknationsthathavedeclaredtheirneutralitytochoosebetween East and West — neutralitybetween power blocsisunderstandable. However, weurgethem not toremain passive observersofaggression and war crimes. Thosewhoseekpeacefortheir own countries cannotremain neutral in this matter.

Pakistan hasconsistentlysupportedtheprinciplesofsovereignty and territorial integrity and hasneverendorsed war. Ukraine isgratefulto Pakistan foritsprincipledposition and itscommitmentto a just and lastingpeace.

Wecount on Pakistan’sactiveroleas a non-permanent memberofthe UN Security Council and on its international authority in advancing a just peace in Ukraine.

Ukraine aspirestobecome a partof a united Europe — a normative alternative toimperialism and autocracy — and seesitselfas a pillarofEurope’sfuturesecurity, strength and resilience

Remarks by EU Ambassador RaimundasKaroblis

“Solidarity with Ukraine “Event

Embassy of Poland, 11 February 2026

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Esteemed colleagues,

I am honoured to address you today on behalf of Team Europe at the “Solidarity with Ukraine” event held at the Embassy of Poland. I extend my gratitude to Ambassador Maciej Pisarski and his team for hosting this important function.

Our gathering here is a proof of our shared commitment to foster peace and cooperation. These principles have been central to the European project since its inception. They are as relevant as ever, especially in light of the formidable security challenges we are facing today—challenges on a scale not seen since the days of the Cold War.

Four years ago, the unprovoked and brutal invasion of Ukraine by Russia represented a seismic shift that has shattered our assumptions regarding peace in Europe. This is not merely a conflict on our doorstep; it is a direct challenge to the core principles underpinning the international order and the UN Charter: sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. In response to Russia’s brutal aggression, the European Union has adeptly combined diplomacy, sanctions, humanitarian assistance and military support, ensuring Ukraine’s right to defend itself.

Ukraine and its people have demonstrated great resilience and a commitment to a just and lasting peace, grounded in security, sovereignty, and prosperity. The European Union stands fully behind Ukraine and is actively contributing to the US-led peace efforts, notwithstanding President Putin’s obvious reluctance to make peace.

In fact, in the last months Russia has taken a clear path of escalation: adhering to maximalist positions, increasing its attacks against civilians across Ukraine, mercilessly attacking energy and transport infrastructure during harsh winter conditions leaving millions without any heating in the coldest winter since the start of the war.

For this reason, the international community, including Pakistan, must work together to keep the pressure on Russia so that it engages meaningfully and credibly in efforts to end the aggression that it started.

On our part, we are determined to continue supporting Ukraine, so that it is in the strongest position possible – before, during and after any ceasefire. What is more, we are stepping up pressure on Russia with strong economic measures and sanctions.

In this context, it is essential to reduce Russia’s capacity to finance its war, which to a large extent relies on the revenue earned from oil and gas sales. Let me emphasise that the EU has reduced by 90% energy imports from Russia and we are looking at further measures over the next year, notably a complete LNG import ban. We have also introduced an import ban on refined petroleum products derived from Russian crude processed in third countries.

While we do not question Pakistan’s right to commercial relationship with Russia, we need Pakistan to support us to substantially reduce Russia’s capacity to generate oil revenues to fuel its war machine.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, let me draw your attention to the fallout from the conflict on Europe’s security. We are currently battling hybrid threats — cyberattacks, disinformation, interference in democratic processes, recurring encroachments and provocations in the airspace and the weaponisation of energy and supply chains. In addition, we are witnessing growing risks of conventional attacks against Europe and EU members, which have not been seen since the Cold War era.

These challenges blur the line between war and peace, demanding resilience from us. Therefore, we are sparing no effort to bolster our defences, defence capabilities, diversify energy sources, strengthen our cyber capabilities, safeguard our democratic institutions and forge closer cooperation with international partners.

We greatly value Pakistan’s role in promoting regional stability, peacekeeping, counterterrorism, multilateralism, and climate resilience. We expect that Pakistan will stay strong promoting multilateralism, rule of law, the principles of the UN Charter, in particular bearing in mind its role as a non-permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations and as a member of the UN Human Rights Council. The EU remains steadfast in strengthening its partnership with Pakistan.

Therefore, our unity and determination, together with the international community, including Pakistan, are vital in maintaining pressure on Russia to compel it to engage meaningfully in efforts to end the aggression they initiated.

Ladies and gentlemen, Ukraine faces brutal, unprovoked aggression from Putin’s Russia. Tens of thousands are dead, and many more are wounded, both military and civilian. Millions of people suffer, and countless lives are destroyed. Ukrainians defend their state and land. At the same time, they defend values, the rule of law, and the multilateral order. They defend Europe. We must help Ukraine. We are helping significantly, but we should ask ourselves whether we are doing enough and what more we can do.

Let us stand united with Ukraine and enhance our efforts to create a more resilient, peaceful, and secure future—for Ukraine and for all of us.

Thank you for your attention and I wish you a nice evening.

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Remarks by Ambassador of Poland, H.E. Mr. Maciej Pisarski

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you very much for being with us this evening as we pay tribute to the Ukrainian People for their steadfast resistance, perseverance and sacrifice to the cause of freedom and human dignity.

Beforewe begin, let me say thatwe are horrified by the recent bombing in the mosque in Islamabad. We condemn this act of terror against the worshipers. Our thoughts and prayers  go out to the victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Pakistan in its fight against the menace of terrorism. 

Please rise to pay respect to the victims of this heinous crime.

Friends,

Every year for the last 4 years, we have gathered together to express our Solidarity with Ukraine who has been repelling the Russian invasion.

We #StandWithUkraine as its sovereignty, the future of Europe and the rules of the international order are at stake.

This year have come together as Team Europe – representing the Delegation of the European Union and the EU Member States – and Embassy of Ukraine as co-hosts of this event.

I warmly welcome my fellow ambassadors of Norway and Switzerland as well as the representatives of Australia, Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, United States of America and other like-minded countries.

A special, warm welcome goes to our Pakistani friends and colleagues for their support for the fundamental values enshrined in the UN Charter which lay foundation to our collective security and which are being brutally assaulted by the Russian Federation.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We live in a very turbulent, unpredictable and at times violent world.

We have witnessed mass murders and war crimes committed against civil population. We mourn the death and suffering of the victims of terrorist attacks as well as ethnic and sectarian violence. 

We condemn the breach of humanitarian law and overuse of violence leading to unspeakable suffering of the civilian population in Gaza. We hope that the peace agreement for Gaza will hold, that it will lead to the implementation of the two state solution and the creation of the Palestinian state.

Today, we turn our attention to what in fact is a modern-day colonial war waged against Ukrainian people, who simply want a better life and realize they can never achieve this while being subjugated by Russia.

We want to stress the urgency of a just and lasting peace for Ukraine; the peace that Russia is currently not interested in achieving because it is determined to destroy its neighbor and rebuild its sphere of influence.

We also pledge our continuing assistance to Ukraine – military and non-military – so that its negotiating position is strengthened and Russia’s ultimate goals are not achieved.

I am honored to stand in the company of my European Union colleagues to show our unity and solidarity.

———-

Quotes directly attributable to Mrs. Ina Lepel, German Ambassador

On the current situation and support for Ukraine:

• “Together with our partners, we will expand our support for Ukraine. The EU agreed on a new package of 90 billion euros in December to demonstrate that we stand firmly with Ukraine.”
• “Russia is deliberately destroying Ukraine’s energy infrastructure to break the civilian population and create a humanitarian disaster. These areseriousviolationsofhumanitarianlaw.”
• “Russia continues to commit war crimes every day. Russia’s actual actions contradict its alleged willingness to negotiate.”

On negotiations and pressure on Russia:

• “Ukraine is ready for serious negotiations and an immediate, indefinite, and comprehensive ceasefire. However, Russia continues to insist on maximal demands and continues its attacks.”
• “Russia must ultimately reach an agreement with Ukraine, and we cannot speak for Ukraine. The Kremlin is well aware of our position and our demand for an immediate ceasefire and a lasting peace.”
• “We will increase pressure on Russia until Putin abandons his maximal demands and engages in serious peace negotiations.”
• “We welcome the ongoing negotiations. About these negotiations, we are in close consultations with all our partners, including Ukraine and the USA.”

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Statement from embassy of Poland, on 4^th anniversary of Russian aggression on Ukraine

• 24th February 2026 will mark the end of fourth year of Russia’s full-scale, unprovoked, illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. In the last weeks we witnessed brutal Russian attacks on Ukrainian residential areas and critical infrastructure. The systematic nature of Russian attacks demonstrates a deliberate strategy to inflict suffering on the civilian population by targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure and leaving millions of people without electricity and heating in bitter winter conditions.

• Poland and the European Union express its full solidarity with Ukraine and the families of the victims. We call on Russia to stop the war immediately.

• Russia’s war poses a direct and severe threat to global security. Through its energy blackmail, disruption of global food supplies, alongside its malicious hybrid tactics, cyber-attacks, disinformation campaigns, and reckless nuclear rhetoric, Russia is flagrantly violating international norms. These actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the safety, security, and well-being of billions of people worldwide, destabilizing not only regional peace but also global stability.

• As Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, put it during his visit to Pakistan in October 2025:   According to Kremlin’s propaganda, the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine was a justified reaction to western expansionism. In fact, it is a modern-day colonial war against Ukrainian people, who simply want a better life and realize they can never achieve this goal while being subjugated by Moscow. The root cause of this war is not NATO’s enlargement – which followed decisions made by sovereign states – but a failing empire’s desperate effort to restore its sphere of influence.  When international legal order is undermined, small and medium-sized countries suffer the most. A stable international system should be based on the respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of every state – no matter its size.

• Russia is not interested in achieving peace. The Kremlin and Putin’s goals remain unchanged regardless of the peace efforts of the international community: the destruction of Ukraine and its complete capitulation. Russia also seeks to achieve this by discouraging continued international assistance to Ukraine. It is essential to continue providing Ukraine with both military and non-military assistance to strengthen its position in the peace negotiations and to make clear that Russia’s ultimate goals cannot be achieved.

• Against this backdrop, sanctions imposed by the European Union, the United States, and their partners are exerting significant pressure on Russia’s war economy. Sanctions are carefully designed to avoid and mitigate unintended global impacts.

• Russia’s aggressive stance is responsible for the unprecedented arms buildup in Europe. This compels countries like Poland to increase defense spending in order to protect their citizens and sovereignty. We would much prefer to allocate these resources to sustainable development and international cooperation. However, Russia leaves us no choice and continues to divert the world away from objectives that should unite us all.

• In addition to regular threats, Russia is intensifying hybrid attacks across the region and against NATO member states. This dangerous trend will not be tolerated and must be stopped.

• Poland and the European Union will continue its good-will participation in the peace efforts. At the same time we will further extend necessary support to Ukraine. We encourage all partners to do the same. For the sake of a just and lasting peace and for the future of the international community.