“[Russian] shameful acts in a shameful war. And this must be exposed to the light of day and prosecuted without impunity”

As part of a meeting of the Security Council, President of the European Council Charles Michel recalled that a few weeks ago, he visited Borodianka, “where atrocities were committed by Russian soldiers. War crimes. Crimes against humanity.”

“Women, peace, security. This is a critical and timely subject. Two years ago, Secretary-General Guterres called to end violence both on the battlefield and in homes. Yet as we speak, we hear reports of Russian forces wielding sexual violence as a weapon of war. Sexual violence is a war crime. A crime against humanity. A tactic of torture, terror, and repression. Shameful acts in a shameful war. And this must be exposed to the light of day and prosecuted without impunity. This war has also caused millions to flee their homes and seek refuge outside Ukraine, mostly women, and children. I met many of them when I went to Ukraine, when I went to Poland, and when I went to Moldova. And they are particularly vulnerable to human traffickers. We, the EU, are committed to protecting them and to keeping them safe, without any discrimination,” the President of the European Council said.

Read more