Outcome of the special European Council meeting of 24 February 2022

On 24 February 2022, at a special European Council meeting following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, EU leaders delivered a message of unity and determination, acknowledging 'the European aspirations and the European choice of Ukraine' and reiterating the EU's support to the territorial integrity of the country. They condemned Russia's continued violation of international law, and stressed that Russia 'will be held accountable for its actions'. EU leaders also approved politically a new package of sanctions, which 'bites but does not deter'. Key restrictions linked to gas supply and to access to the SWIFT payment system, a measure supported by the European Parliament, did not find a consensus. The EU institutions were also asked to prepare a new set of 'individual and economic sanctions' targeted at Belarus.