Europe Asia News

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot issued a statement regarding Russia's attacks across Ukraine over the past week. Offering condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, Prevot expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people, including those injured, those who lost their homes and those affected by violence.

Prevot drew attention to the attacks in Pryluky, where five children were among those killed, as well as strikes targeting passenger buses in Kramatorsk and Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. He noted that these attacks were part of a broader pattern of assaults.

Prevot stated that residential areas, energy infrastructure and bridges had been targeted. With winter approaching, he said infrastructure enabling people to work, travel, heat their homes and maintain their daily lives was also coming under attack.

Emphasizing his concern over recent attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea, Prevot said these strikes endangered seafarers from countries around the world, freedom of navigation and food supplies to the world's most vulnerable regions.

Prevot noted that Russia presents itself to countries of the Global South as a reliable partner on security, sovereignty and food security, as well as a champion of the fight against neocolonialism, while continuing to wage war against an independent country.

"Respect for sovereignty and international law cannot depend on geography or political interests," Prevot said, stressing that the principles Russia advocates in its relations with other countries must also apply to Ukraine.

Prevot affirmed that Belgium would continue to stand with Ukraine and its people and work alongside its partners to protect civilians, increase pressure on Russia and achieve a just and lasting peace.