EU COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS ON THE EUROPEAN SECURITY SITUATION

24 January 2022

 European security is indivisible. Any challenge to the European security order affects the security of the EU and its Member States.

 In this context:

1. The Council condemns Russia’s continued aggressive actions and threats against Ukraine, and calls on Russia to de-escalate, to abide by international law and to engage constructively in dialogue through the established international mechanisms.

2. Dialogue in line with the key principles that underpin the European security is the way to improve the security situation and to safeguard peace and stability on our continent. Notions of “spheres of influence” have no place in the 21st century. We will continue to coordinate our positions and actively and substantially contribute to discussions within the existing frameworks, inter alia those that include Russia, on issues affecting our security and strategic interests.

3. In this respect, the Council reaffirms the EU’s full commitment to the core principles on which European security is built, enshrined in the UN Charter and the founding documents of the OSCE, including the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris. This includes notably the sovereign equality and territorial integrity of States; the inviolability of frontiers; refraining from the threat or use of force; and the freedom of States to choose or change their own security arrangements. These principles are neither negotiable nor subject to revision or reinterpretation. Their violation by Russia is an obstacle to a common and indivisible security space in Europe and threatens peace and stability on our continent.

4. Recalling the European Council Conclusions from December 2021, the Council reiterates that any further military aggression by Russia against Ukraine will have massive consequences and severe costs. This includes a wide array of sectoral and individual restrictive measures that would be adopted in coordination with partners. The EU has accelerated the preparatory work in this direction by the High Representative and the Commission.

5. The Council reaffirms the EU’s unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and our other Eastern neighborhood partners within their internationally recognized borders. The Council underlines its support for the existing international frameworks for the sustainable and peaceful resolution of conflicts in accordance with international law and calls on Russia to re-engage constructively in these established frameworks in good faith. The Council underlines the importance of the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements and reiterates its full support to French and German efforts within the Normandy format, underlining Russia's responsibility as a party to the conflict. The Council commends the valuable engagement of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission, which has to be provided with unrestricted access throughout Ukraine.

6. The Council reaffirms the EU’s commitment to further support Ukraine’s resilience, including in countering cyber and hybrid threats and tackling disinformation. The EU is defining modalities of support to Ukraine also in the area of professional military education. The Council underlines the importance of Ukraine’s reform agenda, based on our shared values as reiterated in the 23rd EU-Ukraine Summit Joint statement, as a vehicle for enhancing Ukraine’s external and internal resilience, and reaffirms the EU’s long-standing and steadfast support to this end.

7. The Council underlines the role of the OSCE as the appropriate forum to address security concerns of all interested parties. The Council welcomes the efforts of the OSCE Chairmanship in Office to swiftly initiate a substantial dialogue on European security.

8. The Council reaffirms the united approach of the EU and the ongoing strong cooperation and coordination of the EU and its Member States with the United States, NATO, Ukraine and our other partner countries. The Council reiterates the EU’s commitment to and appreciation of continued transatlantic unity. The Council invites the High Representative to continue to coordinate the EU position and on this basis to engage actively within OSCE and with our partners, notably the United States and NATO.

9. Member States are ready to engage in strengthening the existing mechanisms to ensure military transparency and predictability, and to support efforts regarding arms control, in particular within the OSCE framework. In this regard, the Council calls on Russia to engage constructively.

10. The Council also reiterates the importance of further strengthening the resilience and response capabilities of the EU and of our close partners against cyber- and hybrid attacks, foreign information manipulation and interference, including disinformation. The Council calls on the High Representative and the Commission to intensify the work to this effect.

11. The European Union remains committed to a united, long-term, and strategic European approach to EU–Russia relations based on the five guiding principles.