Statement of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly regarding the decision of the President of Russia to recognise the independence of self-declared People’s Republics of Luhansk and Donetsk

We, the members of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly, firmly condemn the decision taken by the President of the Russian Federation to recognise the independence of the self-declared People’s Republics of Luhansk and Donetsk and to order troops into these regions. This is yet another attack on the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine as well as a gross violation of international law.

Already since 2014, the Russian Federation has attempted to destabilise Ukraine and its political leadership, and the situation now has reached the lowest and most dangerous level. The Russian Federation has repeatedly shown that it does not understand diplomatic conflict resolution but rather the language of force. Europe has to come together and show the President of the Russian Federation that his actions have consequences and that Europe is ready to protect not only Ukraine but also international law, peace and security in the region. We have to act and impose serious economic sanctions that the Russian Federation will not be able to ignore.

We — the members of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly — call for a change of approach towards the Russian Federation. Europe must prepare for the worse and be aware that the recent decision taken by the President of the Russian Federation to recognise the independence of self-declared People’s Republics of Luhansk and Donetsk is only the beginning of a series of extremely aggressive, violent and disrespectful activities to test the limits of Europe and its leaders.

22 February 2022