Two European commissioners have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of returning "war, persecution, and illegal occupation" to Europe with the invasion of Ukraine. EU Commission Vice President Vera Jourova and EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders made the comments one day before the European Day of Remembrance for victims of totalitarian and authoritarian regimes. The EU has observed the day, also called Black Ribbon Day, every August 23 since 2009. The date is also the anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Germany and the Soviet Union, which paved the way for Germany to invade Poland in September 1939.
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