EU, Australia warn Russia against use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine

ANKARA

Australia and the European Union warned Russia to refrain from the use of any chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons against Ukraine, otherwise it would face severe consequences.

In a joint statement, issued on Wednesday following a meeting between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, President of the European Council Charles Michel, and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen on the sideline of the G-20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia, they reaffirmed their unwavering support to Ukraine.

“Australia and the EU concurred that Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric is unacceptable and that any use of chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons by Russia would be met with severe consequences,” said the statement published on the Australian premier's official website.

The leaders condemned Russia’s "unprovoked, illegal, and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine."

The Australian and European leaders vowed to stand resolutely with Ukraine and its people and remain unwavering in their support of Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

"The leaders firmly rejected and will never recognize either the illegal attempted annexation by Russia of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, or the illegal sham ‘referenda' that Russia engineered, with their falsified and illegal results," it said.

They urged Moscow to immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw its forces from within the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine and cease its war.

They also discussed climate change issues facing the region and agreed to support small, developing, and vulnerable states, including Pacific Island countries, in responding to climate change impacts.

“They remain deeply committed to full implementation of the Paris Agreement, noting the urgency to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees through rapid, deep, and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in this decade and to achieve net zero emissions by 2050," the statement added.

They also discussed the growing challenges in the Indo-Pacific region and reaffirmed their commitment to promote security and stability in the South China Sea, as well as to the peaceful settlement of disputes, in accordance with international law.

The leaders also reaffirmed the commitment to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposed any unilateral changes to the status quo and urged to de-escalate tension through diplomacy.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid