The incoming President of European Council, António Costa, has said that peace in Ukraine must be based on international law.

"Peace in Ukraine must be just. It must be lasting. It must be based on international law," he said during a handover from outgoing President of the European Council Charles Michel in Brussels on Friday.

The ceremony was attended by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, a vice-president of the European Parliament, and representatives of the General Secretariat of the Council of the EU.

Costa said that Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine has been lasting for "thirty-three months, one thousand and ten days."

"We are all yearning for peace. Especially the empowered and heroic Ukrainian people. But peace cannot mean the peace of a graveyard. Peace cannot mean capitulation. Peace must not reward the aggressor. Peace in Ukraine must be just. It must be lasting," he emphasized.

The President of the European Council is also convinced that in this war on the European soil at stake are the universal principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter – people's right to self-determination, nations' right to choose their own future, and respect for territorial integrity and state borders.

"We must write a new chapter of the European Union as a peace project. By becoming stronger, more efficient, more resilient, and yes, more autonomous in security and defence. Always working for a strong transatlantic partnership," he said.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have been mayor of Lisbon and proud to serve my city. I have been Prime Minister of Portugal and proud to serve my country. I now take office as President of the European Council and I am proud to serve the European Union. Lisbon is my city, Portugal is my country and Europe is our common home. There is no contradiction between these three levels. Nowadays, in this globalized world, the only way to be truly patriotic, to ensure sovereignty, is to build a common Europe," Costa said.

"Because only together can we stand up for security, stability and peace in our continent. Only together can we achieve shared prosperity, economic growth and the climate transition. Only together can we make the voice of Europe heard in the international scene. So, unity is the lifeblood of the European Union. But we should not ignore our difference of opinion, nor treat them as a problem," he said.