Former Captive Nations Cite Russian Crimes and Invasion of Ukraine

Ukraine’s neighboring former captive nations of Russian subjugation took advantage of the opening session of 76^th Session of the UN General Assembly to address Moscow’s threats against their countries as well as violations of international peace, stability and security by invading and occupying Ukrainian territory. It was not only a sign of solidarity but also concern that they could be Russia’s next targets. To be sure, they also listed among the Kremlin’s transgressions its bullying of Belarus, Georgia and other countries.

Address of the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda.

“We also deplore efforts by Russia to exert pressure on Lithuanian judges and prosecutors who investigate the case of atrocities committed by the occupying Soviet army in Lithuania in 1991. Lithuania calls on all states not to execute related international arrest warrants…

“For the seventh year we are witnessing the continuing military aggression against Ukraine, as well as the illegal annexation and occupation of Crimea. These actions violate international law, the Charter of the United Nations, as well as the provisions of the Helsinki Final Act. They should be condemned universally.

“We must reinforce the policy of non-recognition of the occupation and annexation of Crimea. It is also extremely important to protect the rights and freedoms of the local civilian population. I commend the Ukrainian effort to keep this issue on the agenda by creating the International Crimean Platform.

“Lithuania respects Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic choice and continues to support its reforms in this troubled period. Seeking to consolidate international efforts, we have co-hosted the Ukraine Reform Conference in Vilnius this past July…”

Address of the President of Latvia, Egils Levits.

“…The crisis in Belarus can only be resolved by new, free and fair presidential elections in the presence of international observers.

“Meanwhile, Russia’s military intimidation campaign against Ukraine continues. This confirms the need for the international community to support Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Latvia sees the newly established International Crimean Platform as a valuable format for keeping the issue of Crimean de-occupation on the international agenda. We call for the widest possible engagement of the international community in the Crimean Platform.

“Furthermore, the frozen conflicts in the Moldovan territory of Transnistria and the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, should be solved in accordance with international law, with full respect for the territorial integrity of Moldova and Georgia…”

Address of the President of the Republic of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid.

“Conflicts still ravage many countries and new ones have occurred.  Wars continue to be fought from Ukraine to Syria. Authoritarian regimes like Belarus, for example, have come up with new hybrid tools to attack democratic societies with innocent people. Those who suffer the most continue to be the most vulnerable in our societies – women, children and adolescents…

“That is why we have to talk about the repressions in Belarus, stand in solidarity against the aggressive and destabilizing behavior of Alyaksandr Lukashenkaʼs regime and remain convinced that the will of the Belarusian people should be the main guideline for shaping the future of the Republic of Belarus.

“That is why we can´t forget occupied Crimean peninsula and the situation in Eastern Ukraine. Ukraine has our strong and unwavering support for their sovereignty, territorial integrity and for non-recognition policy of the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia. Security is indivisible – Ukrainian security is also ours. As an elected member of the UN Security Council, we continue to keep the issue of Russia’s aggression in Donbas and illegal annexation of Crimea on the UNSC agenda…”

Address by the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda.

“…Unfortunately, tragic developments are unfolding also close to the Polish border and I have the impression that humanity seems to have forgotten about them.

“And yet, the pandemic has not stopped the war in Ukraine where over 13 thousand people died since the beginning of the Russian aggression with one state seizing the territory of another. In Europe after World War 2, in the 21st century, Ukraine has been assaulted.

“What was the response of the rich North to the drama of the Ukrainian nation fighting for its independence? The response was the construction of a large Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline which will carry Russian gas to Western Europe bringing further billions in revenue to the aggressor, and complete helplessness or even indifference to the fact that from that moment on Ukraine will find itself in an even bigger danger.

“Recently I have attended the Crimea Platform Summit in Kyiv being one of few leaders representing the rich North. I searched with my eyes for those who have constructed and approved the construction of Nord Stream 2. I did not find them…”

 Address by President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu.

“…In the spirit of Moldova’s Constitutional neutrality and international law, I would also like to reiterate that our position on the complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russian forces remains unchanged. This includes the removal or destruction of ammunitions from the Cobasna stockpiles which pose a security and environmental threat to the region as a whole. We count on the support of the international community in this endeavor…”