Foreign ministers of European Union countries and Ukraine visited Bucha to honor the memory of victims of mass crimes committed during Russia’s occupation of parts of the Kyiv region in 2022 and to confirm an unwavering commitment to ensuring the full accountability of Russia for any violations of international law in or against Ukraine, including aggression violating the United Nations Charter.

As reported by an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent, this is stated in a joint statement by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the representatives of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Cyprus, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Ukraine on the occasion of the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers.

"We gathered today in Kyiv and Bucha to honor the memory of the victims of mass crimes in Bucha committed during Russia’s temporary occupation of parts of the Kyiv region in 2022 and to confirm our unwavering commitment to ensuring the full accountability of Russia for any violations of international law in or against Ukraine, including aggression violating the United Nations Charter," the statement reads.

Participants of the meeting honored the memory of all victims of the massacre in Bucha and other cities, towns, and villages across Ukraine where the civilian population suffered mass killings, torture, sexual violence, forced deportations, and other serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law.

"Evidence gathered after the withdrawal of Russian troops underscores the need to ensure full and comprehensive accountability," the document emphasizes.

"We confirm our commitment to ensuring full accountability for war crimes and other most serious crimes committed in connection with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. In this context, we welcome recent progress made within the Council of Europe with the support of the European Union toward launching the Special Tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine and establishing the International Claims Commission for Ukraine. We also express our support for the International Criminal Court’s investigation into the situation in Ukraine and call on all member states to cooperate fully," the joint statement says.

The ministers emphasize that accountability is an essential element of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace, as well as adherence to international law.

"In the 5th year of the Russian war of aggression, we confirm our steadfast, firm, and unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, in accordance with the goals and principles of the United Nations Charter and international law," the document states.

The joint statement was released on March 31, 2026, during the visit of EU member state ministers.

Earlier, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha announced the visit of EU foreign ministers and the head of European diplomacy Kaja Kallas to Kyiv on March 31.

Sybiha expressed hope that the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv would "bring greater clarity" regarding the 90-billion-euro loan blocked by Hungary.

According to him, Ukraine expects the adoption of a joint statement from the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv, as well as discussions on support in the energy and defense sectors. According to Sybiha, Tuesday "will be a busy and important diplomatic day"—a visit by EU foreign ministers is expected to hold a special visiting session of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Ukraine.

Sybiha noted that the date of the meeting coincides with a symbolic date related to the tragedy in Bucha, which will be another opportunity to show the world the scale of the crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine.

He informed that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy would also meet with the foreign ministers.

Also at the meeting, "the emphasis will be placed on the future infrastructure of accountability, namely the special tribunal." "We very much hope that the number of states joining the agreement on the special tribunal will expand," Sybiha stated.

Another focus of the meeting will be energy. In addition, military aspects will be discussed: the front, the situation on the battlefield, briefings from the military, and discussions of specific needs to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities.