Renew Europe push for accountability as Ukraine civilian casualties reach record highs
The European Parliament debated a resolution calling for accountability for Russia's systematic attacks against Ukrainian civilians, with a vote scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday.
According to the UN, 2025 was the deadliest year for Ukrainian civilians since Russia launched its full-scale invasion - and 2026 looks set to be worse still, with first-quarter casualties running 20% higher than the same period last year.
The resolution, initiated and led by Renew Europe, strongly reaffirms its condemnation of Russia's war of aggression and demands an immediate, unconditional ceasefire, full military withdrawal, end to deportations, and release of all detained civilians. Russia also continues to hold children, thousands of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians in inhumane conditions.
Renew Europe MEP Petras Auštrevičius (Liberalų sąjūdis, Lithuania), lead rapporteur for the European Parliament, stated:
“Each day of Russia's four-year war of aggression against Ukraine is a reminder of the tens of thousands of lives lost and the massive destruction of civilian and critical infrastructure that makes life almost unbearable.
Today the European Parliament gave its consent for the EU to join the convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine, which will enable Ukrainian people to seek for financial compensation for losses caused by Russia. Russian immobilised assets should be used as a source for such compensation.
However, when we say that Russia must pay, we are referring to those responsible for starting and enabling the war of aggression. These individuals must be brought before the Special Tribunal. To achieve this, all EU Member States must join the ongoing efforts to establish the Special Tribunal, and the EU must play an active role in garnering broad international support.
This is the least we can do to honour the memory of the victims and fallen Ukrainian defenders. “
Petras AuštrevičiusRenew Europe MEP, Lithuania, Liberalų Sąjūdis
The resolution translates these concerns into concrete demands across the following key areas:
Accountability & justice - We urge continuous support for all efforts to document, investigate and prosecute Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine, including full support for the International Criminal Court's ongoing investigation into war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed in Ukraine.
Sanctions - We call for strict maintenance and expansion of EU sanctions against Russia and insist that no sanctions should be lifted before a peace agreement is sustainably implemented.
Financial & military support - We urge massively increased military support, particularly in air defence and deep strike capabilities.
Reconstruction - We reaffirm the EU's commitment to Ukraine's reconstruction, stressing the strategic role of the Ukraine Facility in supporting recovery and EU membership prospects.
Finally, we insist that accountability must extend to Russia's highest political, military and judicial leadership.