European Union member states have released a joint statement condemning Russia's proposed annexation of four Ukrainian oblasts, stating that "We will never recognise this illegal annexation."

• Full statement: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-rel...
• "We firmly reject and unequivocally condemn the illegal annexation by Russia of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions...We will never recognise this illegal annexation. These decisions are null and void...Crimea, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk are Ukraine...The nuclear threats made by the Kremlin, the military mobilisation and the strategy of seeking to falsely present Ukraine's territory as Russia's and purporting that the war may now be taking place on Russia's territory will not shake our resolve.We will strengthen our restrictive measures countering Russia's illegal actions."