In Ukraine, Russian aggressors committed genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The invaders hoped for an easy victory, and when it did not come, they went on a rampage of revenge. He targeted the elderly, women and children in violation of international humanitarian law. He sowed death and fire.

Housing developments, hospitals, schools, railroad stations full of refugees, public administration buildings and shopping malls are being targeted. They are being shelled with bombs and rockets filled with banned phosphorus and cluster bombs.

Civilian residents of Ukrainian cities have become hostages, whom the aggressor does not allow to evacuate through humanitarian corridors. Now the enemy is looking for a pretext to use chemical and biological weapons. It is blackmailing the world with a nuclear attack.

Russians kidnap mayors and councilors to intimidate and torture them. This is not only an attack on the heroes of local communities. The aim is also to break the morale of the defenders. It is also a sinister attack on democracy, which is what the authorities of the Russian Federation fear most.

Genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity are not subject to a statute of limitations. They will become the subject of legal proceedings. In the meantime, we must do everything in our power to end the Ukrainian hecatomb. Therefore, we ask not only for moral support for Ukraine in its war to preserve freedom, sovereignty and integrity.

We call on EU member states and other democratic countries to join the action of providing arms for the heroic defenders. Without the systematic transfer of high-tech electronic warfare, anti-tank, anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems to the Ukrainian army, the bastion defending Europe will fall and the enemy will stand at our gates.

We call for Ukraine to be immediately granted the status of candidate country for accession to the European Union. This is a key issue for European security.

We call for extending the sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus to more economic and financial sectors, up to a total embargo on trade with these countries. Nothing that depends on our decisions can serve the aggressors to escalate the war.

We call on European governments to immediately force the Russian Federation to protect humanitarian corridors through which civilians could leave combat areas.

Finally, we ask the EU member states to start working on a project that will allow - after repelling Russian aggression - to thoroughly rebuild Ukraine from the ruins. This must be a Marshall Plan concept.

Ukraine is paying the highest possible price for its aspirations to become part of a family guided by democratic values. If we do not support it effectively today, we will compromise those values.

We must not look away. We are facing an unprecedentedly brutal war, the likes of which Europe has not seen since the days of Hitler and Stalin. Ukrainians are giving their lives in defence of our freedom and democracy. Their sacrifice will determine the future of the European Union. Their struggle requires our immediate and effective assistance. Historical challenges require historical decisions.

Bogdan Klich Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the European Union of the Senate of the Republic of Poland	Pavel Fischer Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense  and Safety Senate of the Czech Republic	Marko Mihkelson Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Riigikogu of the Republic of Estonia
Laima Liucija Andrikiené Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania	Rihards Kols Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Saeima of the Republic of Latvia	Titus Corlățean Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Senate of Romania
Charles Flanagan Chairman of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence of the Oireachtas of Ireland	Marek Kuchciński Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland	Marek Ženíšek Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic

Photo: Defence of Ukraine