Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine, which started on 24 February 2022, triggered a firm and overarching political response by the European Union. Actions in the justice and home affairs policy field are integral parts of this response, with a paramount importance for a successful implementation. The nine EU Agencies cooperating within the Justice and Home Affairs Agencies’ Network (JHAAN) play a vital role in this process, by contributing to the implementation of the political decisions made on European level, assisting Member States and relevant other countries and providing support to people affected by the war; in particular persons displaced from Ukraine.

The JHAAN issued a Joint Statement on 7 March, declaring the nine Agencies’ commitment to provide assistance, in line with the measures agreed at the Justice and Home Affairs Council of 3-4 March, and the outcomes of the extraordinary Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on 27 February. Consequently, the later policy developments, e.g. the 10-Point Plan of the European Commission for stronger European coordination on welcoming people fleeing the war from Ukraine, have also been guiding the Agencies’ response.