I am pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of the ‘Group of Friends of Accountability following the aggression against Ukraine.’

We remain appalled by a wide range of violations by Russian authorities of international human rights law and international humanitarian law as reported by OHCHR’s monitoring mission. The independently gathered and verified evidence confronts us once again with Russia’s disregard for civilian life.  Indeed, during the reporting period, attacks caused more civilian deaths and injuries than in the same period of any year since the full scale invasion, except 2022. 

Furthermore, in the Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied by Russia, including Crimea, Russian authorities continued to severely restrict fundamental freedoms and access to education, through the imposition of Russian laws and citizenship  and commit serious human rights violations, such as torture, sexual and gender-based violence, arbitrary detentions, forcible transfer and deportation of children, and forced disappearances. Further, they continue depriving civilians of any genuine choice to remain or return to the occupied territories, by imposing widespread and systematic discriminatory measures, reportedly enforced through threats, detention, torture and ill-treatment, and prosecution under laws inconsistent with international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

We reiterate our unwavering commitment to supporting efforts aimed at bringing all perpetrators to justice and preventing further crimes in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, including the ICC investigation. In 2025, the legal foundation for the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and the International Claims Commission was laid. In this context, the Enlarged Partial Agreement on the Management Committee for the Special Tribunal was adopted on 15 May 2026. We encourage all States to continue engaging with these accountability mechanisms. 

We will continue to work collectively to uphold accountability and to ensure a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine, in line with international law, including the UN Charter.
Thank you.