On June 10, 2026, Ukraine and the European Union held the eleventh meeting of the Human Rights Dialogue . The parties reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring high standards of respect for, protection of and fulfillment of human rights.

The parties strongly condemned Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine and its serious and systematic violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including arbitrary deprivation of life, unlawful detention, enforced disappearances, systematic torture and ill-treatment of civilians and prisoners of war, sexual violence related to armed aggression, unlawful deportation and forcible transfer of the civilian population, including children.

The parties expressed regret over the intensification of the systematic oppression of Ukrainian identity and various forms of persecution, forced mobilization, religious persecution, indoctrination of children and youth, militarization and Russification of the Ukrainian population in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine. The participants condemned Russia’s intentions to hold the “World Children’s Conference” entitled “Children for Peace” from June 21 to July 12, 2026 in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine, in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, which is a cynical attempt to cover up systematic violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law regarding children.

The parties strongly condemned Russia’s increasingly systematic attacks on civilians, including children, and on critical civilian infrastructure, especially during the coldest winter months. The parties also discussed the serious impact of Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine on a wide range of human rights and socio-economic rights, including the rights to health, work, education, access to water, energy, sanitation and adequate housing. Ukraine presented its efforts to mitigate such impacts, paying particular attention to vulnerable groups, including internally displaced persons, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, members of national minorities (communities) of Ukraine and indigenous peoples of Ukraine.

Ukraine and the EU reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring full accountability for international crimes and other violations of international law committed in connection with Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine. The parties discussed recent developments in the functioning of international mechanisms to hold Russia accountable, including the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and the work of the International Commission for the Consideration of Applications for Ukraine. The parties also noted the inclusion, for the first time, of the armed and security forces of the Russian Federation and associated groups on the list of parties reasonably suspected of committing systematic acts of sexual violence in conflict, contained in the annual report of the UN Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence. The need to maintain the momentum of international efforts and further expand international support was also stressed.

The parties also discussed Ukraine's implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, cooperation with Eurojust, the activities of the Register of Damage Caused by the Russian Federation's Aggression against Ukraine, as well as national efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.

The Parties also discussed Ukraine's efforts to develop comprehensive strategies and policies regarding de-occupied territories and transitional justice. Both Parties emphasized the importance of durable solutions to support victims of sexual violence related to armed aggression, torture and other crimes, focusing on the needs of victims, as well as promoting their participation in the development of relevant policies.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange views on the progress made by Ukraine in implementing the Women, Peace, Security agenda, gender mainstreaming, and combating gender-based violence in the context of Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine. The parties positively noted the adoption of the National Action Plan for the Implementation of the Women, Peace, Security agenda and stressed the importance of its proper and effective implementation.

In addition, the Parties discussed Ukraine's efforts to bring the electoral framework into line with EU and international standards, including the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations, as well as advancing electoral reforms in the context of the EU accession process within the framework of the Roadmap for the Functioning of Democratic Institutions. The activities of the Working Group on the Preparation of Comprehensive Legislative Proposals on the Specifics of the Organization and Conduct of Elections in a Special Period and/or Post-War Elections in Ukraine, established in December 2025, were also discussed.

Both Parties confirmed their determination to continue close cooperation on human rights issues in international multilateral platforms, including within the UN Human Rights Council.

During the meeting, the EU reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to continuing to support Ukraine in the area of ​​human rights, promoting approximation to EU and international standards, and overcoming the negative consequences of Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine.

The meeting was co-chaired by Baiba Tavares, Acting Deputy Managing Director/Head of the Ukraine Division of the European External Action Service, and Liudmyla Sugak, Acting Minister of Justice of Ukraine/Deputy Minister of Justice of Ukraine for European Integration. The meeting was attended by representatives of the relevant Ukrainian government authorities, the European External Action Service and the European Commission.

The next meeting within the framework of the Human Rights Dialogue between Ukraine and the EU is expected to take place in 2027.