Baltic States: "Russia Violates International Law, EU Must Take Immediate Sanctions"

by Park Pyunghee

Published 22 Feb.2022 08:14(KST)

Edgars Rink?vi?s, Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs [Photo by Reuters]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) have demanded immediate sanctions against Russia from the European Union (EU), major foreign media reported on the 21st (local time).

On the same day, the pro-Russian forces controlling the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk requested annexation by Russia, and Russian President Vladimir Putin approved it. In response, the three countries immediately condemned Russia and called on the EU to impose sanctions.

Unlike Ukraine, all three countries are EU member states as well as members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). They also share borders with Russia or Belarus, which is currently conducting joint military exercises with Russia.

The President, Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister of Latvia issued a joint statement saying, "As neighbors of the world, we will take the strongest possible measures to stop Russia's aggression and support Ukraine."

Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rink?vi?s separately wrote on Twitter that "the EU must take immediate sanctions against Russia."

Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid stated that Russia's actions are a grave wrongdoing that cannot be justified by ignoring international law, and urged the EU to impose sanctions.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Naus?da also pointed out, "Russia's recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk as separate republics of Ukraine is an unacceptable act that violates global law and unilaterally breaks the Minsk agreements."

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis wrote on Twitter that Russia's step-by-step moves meet the criteria for sanctions. The Speaker of Lithuania's Parliament asserted that any change in the status of the separatist regions will never be recognized.