The European Union and its Member States condemn in the strongest possible terms the unprovoked and unjustified military aggression by the Russian Federation and the involvement of Belarus against Ukraine in this aggression. This unacceptable action undermines international security and stability. It is also a gross violation of the vision and values of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and the European Union and its Member States wish to express their full solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people at this particularly serious time.

This condemnation is echoed and shared in many international organisations, most notably by the General Assembly of the United Nations, and it is important that the WCO also expresses its unequivocal rejection of violations of international law.

We therefore call on the WCO Secretary General to immediately issue a statement condemning the Russian Federation, as well as Belarus for its involvement, and to identify and pursue all available options to limit and restrict the participation of the Russian Federation and Belarus in the work of the WCO until conditions are restored to ensure the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

Link to the official source of information: https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/news/statement-european-union-and-its-member-states-supporting-ukraine-world-customs-organization-2022-03-09_en