By Fiona Ramsey
After four years of war, 2026 must be the year that Russia’s ends the war in Ukraine.
The last four years have been marked by the profound resilience and bravery of the Ukrainian people as they defend their sovereignty, national identity and territorial integrity. Ukrainians are fighting to uphold democracy and the universal values enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
The stark contrast between Ukraine’s pursuit of peace, calling for de-escalation and a ceasefire, and Russia’s continued attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure and the weaponising of winter conditions makes it clear: Russia bears sole responsibility for the continuing war.
Beyond the human suffering caused by the conflict lies a principle that matters just as much in Bridgetown, Castries and Kingstown as it does in Kyiv: no country has the right to redraw borders by force. The global order is not an abstract concept, it is a form of protection, ensuring that disputes are settled through diplomacy and legal frameworks rather than coercion and power politics.
Small island developing states understand, perhaps better than most, the importance of sovereignty, territorial integrity and a functioning system of international law. It is no surprise that many Caribbean states responded with clarity from the outset, supporting successive United Nations General Assembly resolutions condemning the invasion and reaffirming Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Prolongation of the war will not only deepen the human suffering of over 40 million people Ukrainians, it will also further increase economic and political uncertainty worldwide. The economic shockwaves of the war in Ukraine continue to be felt across the Caribbean, disrupting food and energy markets and diverting attention and resources from shared global challenges such as climate change.
Security today is not only about armed conflict, security is multi dimensional and includes aspects of economic stability, environmental sustainability and social cohesion. In such times of crisis, partnerships matter. This is why the European Union continues to deepen its engagement with the Caribbean region. Through the EU Global Gateway strategy, the EU and its 27 member states are mobilising investments across the region in renewable energy, digital connectivity, transport corridors for food and goods, as well as in health, education and research.
Four years on, the war in Ukraine risks becoming part of the background noise in a landscape of fast-evolving international affairs. However, the principles at stake have not changed. Four years on, we need to ensure that sovereignty, territorial integrity, peaceful resolution of disputes and accountability under international law remain clearly in the spotlight. The European Union’s view is crystal clear: the war can end immediately if Russia withdraws its forces and stops its attacks on civilians.
The European Union remains committed to supporting Ukraine, politically, economically, militarily, and diplomatically, and will support paths toward a just and lasting peace that is underpinned by credible security guarantees. International support for Ukraine remains essential until that peace is secured.
