InterviewEU envoy criticizes Russian Embassy banner as glorification of unlawful war

EU Ambassador to Korea Ugo Astuto speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the EU Delegation Office in Seoul, Dec. 2, 2025. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

The European Union’s ambassador to Korea on Tuesday denounced a controversial banner displayed at the Russian Embassy in Seoul, calling it a breach of diplomatic responsibility and a reflection of Moscow’s broader pattern of intimidation and propaganda linked to its war in Ukraine.

In an interview with The Korea Times at the EU Delegation office in Seoul, Ugo Astuto said the banner — written in Russian and reading “Victory is ours” — was unacceptable, particularly as it appeared ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“I think it is simply preposterous that the Russian Embassy glorifies its unlawful war of aggression, and on top of it against the explicit wishes of the host government,” Astuto said. “I find this preposterous, but I am not surprised.”

The banner, mounted on the outer wall of the Russian Embassy in central Seoul, features Russia’s tricolor flag and echoes a slogan widely used by the Soviet Union during World War II. In recent years, the phrase has been used in Russia to justify and promote its invasion of Ukraine.

The embassy took down the large banner from its building Tuesday afternoon.

Korea’s government has said that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is illegal and that military cooperation between Russia and North Korea violates the United Nations Charter and U.N. Security Council resolutions. According to diplomatic sources, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul conveyed concerns to the Russian Embassy and requested the banner’s removal.

However, under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, embassy premises are inviolable, limiting the host country’s ability to take direct action.

Astuto said diplomatic immunity does not absolve foreign missions of responsibility under international law.

“The Vienna Convention indicates that diplomatic missions have to act based also on respect for the rules of general international law,” he said. “The glorification of an unlawful war of aggression goes against the prohibition of the use of force, which is clearly enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. I believe this sort of activity is in breach of the Vienna Convention.”

Asked whether the banner formed part of a broader information or psychological strategy related to the war, Astuto said such conduct had become routine for Russia.

“One can define it as bullying and intimidation, and I’m afraid it is now a norm,” he said. “We see misinformation, we see propaganda, we see also direct threats — and these are now, unfortunately, ordinary communication tools emanating from Russia.”

Amid growing controversy, the Russian Embassy said the banner was installed to mark Russia’s Diplomat’s Day on Feb. 10 and Defender of the Fatherland Day on Feb. 23, adding that placing promotional materials within embassy grounds was a “general practice.” It said the banner was to be removed as planned once commemorative events concluded.

The embassy also insisted the slogan referred to historical victories over Nazi Germany and other “glorious moments” in Russian history, arguing that, in its view, the message did not offend public sentiment.

EU Ambassador to Korea Ugo Astuto, first row fourth from left, poses with Andrii Vieshkin, front row center, charge d’affaires of the Embassy of Ukraine in Seoul, and other European Union envoys in Seoul, Tuesday. The diplomats gathered to show solidarity with Ukraine and condemn Russian aggression. Courtesy of EU Delegation Office in Seoul

Russia ‘not winning’ Ukraine war

Russia is not winning its war in Ukraine and has failed to achieve its strategic objectives four years after its full-scale invasion, Astuto said, stressing that the conflict has instead strengthened European unity and reshaped global security.

“Russia has barely advanced after four years of war, and it has taken horrific casualties,” Astuto said. “In parallel, we see its economy faltering and its own citizens fleeing in droves.”

Astuto said Moscow’s apparent goal of weakening Europe had backfired, prompting the EU to adopt a comprehensive new security strategy that links defense, economic resilience and international partnerships.

“Europe is more united than ever in its response to this aggression,” he said. “In today’s world, security is indivisible.”

Astuto warned that growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea poses a serious threat beyond Europe, underscoring the interconnected nature of global security.

“The growing Russia-North Korea military nexus is a grave cause for concern,” he said. “It is a graphic example that security in Europe and security in the Indo-Pacific are interconnected.”

He added that the outcome of the war in Ukraine would have implications for the Indo-Pacific region, as Kyiv is fighting for principles essential to the international order.

“Ukraine is fighting for freedom, independence, sovereignty and respect for the U.N. Charter,” Astuto said. “These principles are essential for all states — big and small — whether in Europe or the Indo-Pacific.”

Addressing questions about fatigue in European societies after four years of war, Astuto said the EU has no choice but to continue its support.

“We cannot afford to relent,” he said. “As long as Russia continues its aggression, we must support Ukraine so it can negotiate from a position of strength and achieve a just and lasting peace.”

The EU has provided extensive military, financial, humanitarian and political support to Ukraine since 2022, and that commitment will continue, he said.

“We will take whatever measures are required,” Astuto said. “Ukraine is fighting for essential principles that uphold the rules-based international system.”

Astuto said EU sanctions against Russia have been effective in weakening Moscow’s war machine and reducing its economic leverage.

Before the invasion, Russian gas was a major energy source for Europe, he noted. “We have managed to wean ourselves away from such dependency pretty fast,” he said, cutting a key revenue stream for the Russian state.

The EU has adopted 19 sanctions packages so far and is now discussing a 20th, Astuto said. Measures have targeted Russia’s energy exports, industrial supply chains and foreign actors supporting its military buildup, as well as the so-called “shadow fleet” of tankers used to bypass oil restrictions.

“Based on what we see of the Russian economy today, these sanctions have been working,” he said. “The more universal and effective they are, the more they contribute to ending the aggression.”

While the EU supports U.S.-led efforts to explore a path to peace, Astuto said Russia has shown little willingness to engage meaningfully.

“The Ukrainians have shown readiness to negotiate in good faith,” he said. “The same cannot be said for Russia.”

He pointed to a surge in attacks on civilians, calling 2025 the deadliest year so far for Ukrainian noncombatants.

“Every day and every night, civilians face indiscriminate bombing,” Astuto said. “Peace cannot be surrendered. It must be just, lasting and in line with international law — otherwise Russia would simply regroup and attack again.”