LIVE: Extraordinary Plenary session on the Russian aggression against Ukraine

European Council President Charles Michel invited EU leaders to a special meeting on Ukraine on Thursday, February 24, in Brussels to discuss the latest developments related to Ukraine and Russia. The Council’s special session is being held following Russia’s launch of a military operation in Eastern Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky introduced martial law in response. On Monday, February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin had signed a decree confirming Moscow’s official recognition of the independence of the Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) and the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) at a ceremony in the Kremlin. The EU immediately urged Russia to urgently reverse the recognition, return to the discussions within the Normandy format and the Trilateral Contact Group, and reiterated its support to Ukraine, warning Russia of heavy sanctions. After Russia’s actions, Europe, the US, and the UK strongly condemned and announced sanctions against Russia, targeting sever