European space agency is suspending its upcoming Mars mission with Russia over Putin's 'aggression' towards Ukraine

• The European Space Agency said on Thursday it's suspending an upcoming Mars mission with Russia.
• The ESA was set to cooperate with Russia for a September launch to send a rover to Mars. 
• "ESA is fully aligned with the sanctions imposed on Russia by its Member States," the agency said. 

The European Space Agency said on Thursday it's suspending an upcoming Mars mission with Russia due to its ongoing assault against Ukraine. 

After meeting in Paris on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss the impact of Russia's war on Ukraine, the ESA said it would be unable to cooperate with Russian space agency Roscosmos in the upcoming ExoMars rover mission. 

"We deeply deplore the human casualties and tragic consequences of the aggression towards Ukraine," the ESA said in a statement.

It added: "While recognizing the impact on scientific exploration of space, ESA is fully aligned with the sanctions imposed on Russia by its Member States."

ExoMars is a two-pronged space exploration mission. The ESA first launched an orbiter in 2016, and was slated to launch a rover and surface platform in September 2022. 

There are 22 member states in the ESA, and Ukraine is not one of them. Bordering states Poland, Romania, and Hungary, however, are part of the ESA. 

Russia's war against Ukraine has entered its fourth week, and President Vladimir Putin's forces have largely remained stalled. 

The ESA's move comes as a slew of Western countries, alliances, organizations, and corporations have condemned or punished Russia by axing transnational cooperation or slapping sanctions on Russian institutions and oligarchs.  

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.