Lithuanian President Cements Strong Bloc with Ukraine

I have enthusiastically promoted the idea of the former captive nations of Russian subjugation building a strong bloc for their mutual benefit, development, independence and sovereignty, and most of all defense in the face of continuing Russian aggression.

The example of Moscow’s seven-year war against Ukraine and its belligerent adventurism around the world cannot be demeaned. And in the wake of the free world’s insufficient active support of the x-captive nations’ needs, looking inwardly to their own traditions, abilities and wants is their sole recourse.

A giant leap in this direction has been the political and military arrangement among Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania called the Lublin Triangle, which must be given enough teeth for this triumvirate to stand up for its rightful independent path on God’s Earth. I have written on numerous occasions that this should be expanded to include all x-captive nations.

We have heard their similar statements at opening sessions of the UN General Assembly that warned the global community of Moscow’s expansionism.

The other day former president of Estonia Toomas Henrik Ilves struck a characteristically uncompromising tone in a recent interview in German daily Die Welt, in which he called for European nations to follow President Biden’s move in referring to Vladimir Putin of Russia as a killer. Individuals and nations alike have suffered because of his despotism.

Today, the President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda delivered a speech to Ukrainian lawmakers and the nation, which should be remembered by generations to come for its inspirational bi-national call to arms that also paid homage to the nations’ glorious past and succinctly pointed to a mutually beneficial future.

But most of all, the oration warmed the heart of Ukrainians everywhere because President Nausėda spoke in the Ukrainian-language in the Verkhovna Rada hall, where some deputies frown up the heritage and culture of the people they represent. He began: “My Ukrainian brothers and sisters.”

Lithuania has long been known for its unwavering support of Ukraine, stretching back to the days of President Dalia Grybauskaitė, especially after Russia invaded the neighboring country and occupied Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk.

Noting their common past, Nausėda said “We will always be able to build on our common past. Thirty years ago, when Lithuania defended its freedom during the bloody events of January 1991, Ukrainian volunteers stood shoulder to shoulder with our freedom fighters. And we, Lithuanians, were at your side every time the Ukrainian nation would rise to defend its dignity. For centuries, we had been next to each other and even built a common state. We traded, made cultural exchanges, fought back against a common enemy” – an obvious reference to Russia.

Nausėda recalled the nations’ defense of “the values that are dear to European civilization – respect for the rule of law, individual freedom and democracy” and today “Even seven years after the military aggression that destroyed the international order and peace in Europe, we, Lithuanians, continue to say with commitment and determination: Crimea is Ukraine! We strongly condemn Russia’s illegal actions, we support Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and welcome Kyiv’s initiative to establish an international platform for Crimea.”

This declaration and vow must have resounded with trepidation and rage in the halls of the Kremlin.

“Lithuania sees Ukraine’s tireless efforts in seeking a political solution to the conflict in Donbas. We unequivocally call on Russia and the groups it supports to immediately implement the requirements of the Minsk Agreements. Sanctions against Russia must continue until it withdraws from the illegally occupied territories of Ukraine,” President Nausėda said.

Noting that a strong Ukraine belongs in Europe, Nausėda pledged that “Lithuania will always support you on the path to the European Union and NATO.”

Reminding Ukrainian leaders that “successful reforms are essential for the well-being of the people and for the stability of the state itself,” Nausėda said Lithuania’s businesses are looking forward to working with Ukraine.

“Lithuania seeks to develop relations with Ukraine in the areas of telecommunications, information technology, and innovation. I believe that closer interaction between our countries in creating a digital economy could open useful avenues for the development of Ukrainian industry, for businesses, and for citizens. I believe this year’s Ukrainian-Lithuanian Business Forum will become yet another opportunity to strengthen existing and create new sustainable relations,” he said.

“Although we are currently experiencing temporary difficulties as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic, hopefully we will overcome this crisis with mass vaccination. That is why I am making personal efforts for the leaders of the European Union to agree on a solidarity mechanism for sharing vaccines with Eastern Partnership countries.”

Pointing out that the growing vulnerability of nearby Belarus is a direct threat to Ukrainian and Lithuanian interests, Nausėda also warned his neighbor about the unsafe nuclear power plant in Belarus, which Russia built, that not only endangers the health of the people in the region but with which Moscow also seeks to expand its influence.

“That is why today I want to call on the Ukrainian government and its people to support the position of the Baltic States on the Belarusian nuclear power plant and not to buy electricity produced in Ostrovets,” he urged.

Turning to the region’s energy needs, Nausėda said his country believes it is necessary to strengthen energy independence of the countries in the region to reduce Russia’s influence, an ongoing universal concern.

“Let me be honest: timely investments allowed Lithuania to minimize the direct threat posed by new Russian energy projects, such as the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline. We are therefore very glad to hear that Ukraine also intends to take the path of synchronizing its electricity grid with continental Europe,” he said.

The Lithuanian president said the two nations’ common history taught his people to “respect the freedom-loving Ukrainian nation and to cherish your independent character.”

He closed by affirming that Lithuanians “are happy to see Ukraine reborn again as a dignified European country that knows its value. Lithuania can help you on the path of reforms, and we will certainly do so in the future.

“Glory to Ukraine!” President Nausėda concluded.

In times of peace and war, the friendship offered by the Lithuanian nation must be respected and celebrated.

Denunciations of Russia at UN Leave Moscow Unfazed, Obstinate

Strong denunciations of Russia for its bloody aggression against Ukraine continued this week at the United Nations, which is a positive development in global politics.

Seven years ago, Russia invaded Ukraine and occupied Crimea as well as Luhansk and Donetsk in the eastern section of the country, claiming that they’re protecting Russian-language residents. Adolf Hitler also invaded neighboring countries, stating that he was protecting “Volksdeutsche.”

This wave of censures against the evil empire was compounded by President Biden’s unexpected admission that he thinks Vladimir Putin is a killer. This welcome affirmation yesterday in reply to a question by Good Morning America’s George Stephanopoulos is the first such dramatic accusation by an American president that a foreign leader is a killer since perhaps the days of Hitler’s reign over Europe.

The Permanent Mission of the United States at the UN, on March 17, condemned Russia’s official commemoration of its seizure and annexation of the Ukrainian Crimean peninsula. The Deputy Counselor for Political Affairs Trina Saha decried this faux tribute as Moscow’s “misuse of its seat on the Security Council” that aims to “distort the realities of the Russian-fueled conflict in eastern Ukraine and its purported annexation of Crimea.”

The reference to misuse of Russia’s seat on the Security Council bears credence in view of the fact that Russia is not a member-state of the United Nations. Yes, you might argue that it is a founding member. No, it isn’t. History shows that the now defunct Union of you know what was a founding member. However, former Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, Ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko, wrote in The Ukrainian Quarterly that after the downfall of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation did not automatically assume the USSR’s seat in the UN, much less its Security Council. This technical mistake was never corrected. In other words, Russia is only entitled to wait outside the gates to the United Nations, on First Avenue, without any claims to diplomatic rights and privileges.

However, returning to the statement by the United States, Saha said the Russian-convened gathering this week was to recognize its “flagrant disregard for international law, including the UN Charter’s implicit principle that no country can change the borders of another by force.”

Saha emphatically stated: “The United States does not recognize the purported annexation, and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms. The United States is committed in its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Furthermore, she said, the United States “call on Russia to immediately cease its ongoing aggression in Ukraine, to implement the commitments it signed onto under the Minsk Agreements, and to return full control of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula.”

Noting the March 12 Arria-formula meeting on Crimea and the February 12 General Assembly Debate, Saha indicated that Ukraine has broad international support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Very true. This year has seen many such declarations by the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the former captive nations.

“When the General Assembly has voted on resolutions on the human rights situation and Russia’s militarization of Crimea in recent years, the voting record is clear: Russia lacks support from the majority of the international community,” Saha said.

Arria-Formula Meeting

The following is the joint statement following Russia’s Arria-Formula Meeting on the Situation in Crimea. It was endorsed by Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

“Russia held an informal meeting at the UN today to promote a false narrative about its occupation of Crimea, which it seized in violation of international law in 2014. We condemn Russia’s human rights abuses and military build-up on the peninsula. We strongly reject Russia’s attempted annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. Russia’s actions are of global concern and inconsistent with international law, including the UN Charter, and contrary to the Helsinki Final Act.

“Today’s event distorted the realities on the ground in Crimea and only served the interests of Russia’s occupation. If Russia is truly interested in increasing understanding on the situation in Crimea, it would allow UN, OSCE, and Council of Europe envoys, as well as humanitarian workers, international human rights monitoring missions, and human rights non-governmental organizations, immediate and unimpeded access to Crimea.

“As we saw during the March 12 High-Level Arria-formula meeting on Crimea hosted by Estonia and with 23 co-sponsors, as well as during the February 23 General Assembly Debate, Ukraine has the support of the international community in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. We call on Russia to immediately end its occupation, stop human rights abuses, release all Ukrainian prisoners it unjustly holds, cease its aggressive actions in Ukraine, respect its international obligations, and implement its commitments under the Minsk agreements. We reiterate our support for the efforts of the Normandy format and our firm commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, in line with the Minsk agreements and with full respect of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

It is obvious that Moscow is losing in the international court, where friends of Ukraine – countries that wield economic and political power and stand on high moral grounds – understand Moscow’s crimes against humanity and aren’t squeamish to say so.

On the other hand, Russia, as its habit has been, can’t be fazed by the world opinion. Consequently, the international community must sever relations with Moscow until it transforms itself.

US at UN Says It won’t be Fooled by Russian Lies

As the Russian war versus Ukraine is showing no signs of abatement after seven years, the political world is maintaining requisite pressure on Moscow to cease and desist.

In her first statement on this topic, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Permanent Representative to the United Nations, emphatically told Moscow—and the world—that the United States “will not be fooled” by Russian lies and fabrications.

“Moscow took revenge against Ukraine for its decision to chart a path toward democratic reforms,” Thomas-Greenfield declared on March 12. “It’s time to end Russia’s occupation of Crimea and its aggression in Eastern Ukraine.”

Thomas-Greenfield’s strong reprimand of Russia’s illegal and belligerent behavior against a neighboring country follows a long line of similar valiant statements by US ambassadors to the UN. Furthermore, the UN General Assembly also adopted on numerous occasions resolutions that condemn Moscow for being an aggressor state in Ukraine.

Thomas-Greenfield quoted President Biden as saying last month, “when Russia invaded its neighbors, it did not just violate another country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, it violated international law and the very norms by which modern countries engage with one another.”

The American diplomat disputed Moscow’s often repeated claim that its aggression in eastern Ukraine is not an “internal Ukrainian conflict.” Indeed, it is as much of a war as was Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland and France.

“Russia funds, arms, trains, leads, and fights alongside its proxy forces and armed groups in eastern Ukraine. Its invasion of Crimea was followed by a series of killings and the disappearances of at least a dozen opponents of the occupation. These actions remain unresolved, and they need to be investigated. And we urge Russia to release the more than 100 Ukrainian political prisoners it is holding,” she declared.

The New Year began with several high-level condemnations of Moscow’s war against Ukraine, which claimed by now some 14,000 civilian and military lives. Allies of Ukraine have been doing so for seven years.

Echoing historic observations by European leaders which have highlighted the organic connection between independent Ukraine and Europe’s existence, Charles Michel, president of the European Council, believes there is “no Europe without Ukraine.”

Michel told a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Kyiv on March 3, that Ukraine and the EU “share common values: democracy, rule of law, respect for international law, and human rights,” according to an UNIAN.

The EU is Ukraine’s “most reliable partner,” Michel emphasized.

The top official repeated the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, within its internationally recognized borders.

Recalling what he saw on March 2, when he was taken to the frontline in Donbas, Michel said he “saw with my own eyes the devastating impact of a nearly seven-year conflict on the security situation and on people’s lives.” He called Russia’s war in Ukraine a tragedy, in which “people continue to die.”

Michel has stressed that the full implementation of Minsk agreements remains “essential.” In a perfect world that would be possible but not in one, in which Russia does as it pleases, disdainfully snubbing agreements and truces.

He said the Minsk Agreement, which Moscow relegated to a sheet of paper, is nonetheless the way forward to peace and the EU “will continue to fully support the diplomatic efforts to restore Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and continue to back the conflict resolution efforts taken by you, Mr. President.”

In January, the United Kingdom expressed its support for the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine and pledged to continue to do so in the future.

“Today (January 10) marks the 29th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UK and Ukraine. The UK strongly supports Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity and will continue to do so in the future,” the British Embassy in Ukraine posted on Twitter.

London recalled that Ukraine and the UK signed a “historic” strategic partnership agreement in 2020, which opens up new opportunities for deepening British-Ukrainian relations and cooperation.

Additionally, Secretary of State Antony Blinken did not waste time before pledging to continue US economic and military support to Ukraine under President Biden’s administration.

In a phone call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on February 1, Blinken “emphasized strong bipartisan support for Ukraine and the priority the United States places on Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and Euro-Atlantic aspirations,” the State Department said in a readout of the call. “He pledged to continue robust U.S. economic and military assistance to Ukraine,” it added, while working on a diplomatic resolution to Russia's aggression in eastern Ukraine and Crimea.

Blinken called on Ukraine to maintain progress on fighting corruption and implementing rule of law and economic reforms. The two also discussed the coronavirus pandemic.

The continuous wave of support for Ukraine in the face of Moscow’s ongoing aggression has never swayed Russia from its mission of re-subjugating Ukraine. On February 8, Dmitriy Peskov, press secretary of the Russian president, stated that protection of what Moscow calls the “Russian World” or its near abroad, which basically was its captive nations, has been and will remain a priority of the Russian government. According to the statement, Moscow believes that Ukraine is also a part of this world. Peskov emphasized that there is a great number of Russians and Russian-speaking people residing in Ukraine. He believes those people are part of the “Russian World,” therefore, Russia will continue its current policies towards Ukraine with the help of ‘soft power,’ presumably non-armed force. Nazi Germany preached a similar thinking. Incidentally, Peskov declined to mention ethnic Ukrainians in Russia who are denied their rights.

In life there are lies, great lies and Russian lies. Moscow feigns concern for war escalation in Ukraine while intensifying its military presence and assaults. Earlier this month the Kremlin called on France and Germany to use their influence with the Ukrainian government to make sure that events in eastern Ukraine, where tensions have been rising, did not cross a Rubicon.

Peskov, the official liar, told reporters that Moscow was seriously concerned by an uptick in violence in eastern Ukraine on the contact line between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian government forces, whom he accused of illegal shelling.

“We also hope all our partners in the ... (Normandy) quartet will pay attention to the growing tension on the contact line and will use their influence to prevent this escalation from crossing a dangerous line,” Peskov said.

Russia’s fabrications and denials attempt to paint a picture of Ukraine violating truce agreements and the causes of the war, insisting that what’s happening in Donbas is a civil war. As numerous third party observers have testified, the war in Donbas was instigated by Moscow and executed by Russian soldiers and their lackeys.

For example, UNIAN reported that Russia-led forces mounted 10 attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas on Saturday, March 13.

In particular, enemy troops used 82mm mortars, grenade launchers, rifles to attack Ukrainian positions near the village of Pisky, the press center of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) Headquarters said in a morning update on Facebook on March 14.

The enemy also used grenade launchers and rifles near the village of Vodiane the Pryazovia area (the north coast of the Sea of Azov). In the same sector, an enemy UAV dropped two VOG-17 explosive projectiles over Ukrainian positions. Moreover, Russia-led forces opened fire at Ukrainian positions near the village of Pivdenne, using large-caliber machine guns and anti-tank grenade launchers. Ukrainian JFO units had to fire back.

Ukraine’s Chief Intelligence Department reports that illegal armed units in Donbas – i.e. Russians – are deploying extra firing positions for machine gunners and anti-tank missile launchers. They also increased the number of snipers to be involved in combat, the press office of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry reported on March 9.

All of this is leading to a Russian escalation of the war. The administrations controlled by the militants of Russian self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics occupied Donbas are preparing to more combat actions against Ukraine, reported the Eastern Human Rights Group on Facebook.

If and when such an escalation becomes reality and Russian mercenaries will have denied the peace plan in Donbas offered by Ukraine’s delegation in Minsk group, then the Ukrainian military will switch to more active resistance to Russian aggression. Leonid Kravchuk, the head of the Ukrainian delegation and the first president of Ukraine, expressed this radical opinion in a recent commentary, as quoted by Ukrinform.

“We know that the troops are brought in, we know that training and exercises are taking place. But the Ukrainian army is not the same it was five years ago – we are ready to stand our ground. We can’t help but see the threats when they’re there. And we will respond to them adequately – but without provoking any actions that are dangerous for lives of people,” Kravchuk said.

President Zelenskyy intimated as much, when he stated that for the de-occupation of the Crimean Peninsula, international partners must take more effective steps, including sanctions for human rights violations.

“I am grateful for the consistent policy of the European Union on non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea. At the same time, more effective international steps are needed. The issue of Crimea must be put on the international agenda,” Zelenskyy said.

“The EU has recently adopted a new sanction regime for human rights violations. In this regard, I proposed the introduction of similar sanctions against those who commit arbitrariness on the occupied peninsula. This could be a powerful contribution of Brussels to the Crimean platform,” he added.

It is encouraging for Ukraine to hear such declarations of support for fighting to rescue its nation and land from Russian aggression; and tough sanctions against the country and leaders. But the infuriating question remains: Why isn’t Russia listening? Why hasn’t Russia yielded to the global demands? Either what has been said by many officials has been too weak and fanciful, or Russia really doesn’t want to be bothered as it pursues aggression against Ukraine? The righteous are intent on condemning Moscow while simultaneously continuing to meet, greet and do business with Kremlin officials.

There have been voices urging stronger actions against Moscow because that’s all the Russian rulers understand. Former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Antanas Linkevičius, among others, urged that the free world maintain tight sanctions against the Kremlin.

Stewart McDonald, member of Scottish Parliament and a spokesperson for defense issues, observed recently in The Scotsman, “Condemning Russia’s actions in Crimea is worth doing, but it’s not enough.”

Colonel-General Ruslan Khomchak, commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, correctly believes Russian leaders must be punished for all crimes committed against the civilian population and military personnel in Ukraine.

Speaking with Obozrevatel, Khomchak pointed out that it’s the authorities in the Kremlin that are at war with Ukraine, not the entire Russian nation.

“For all crimes against the civilian population and military personnel in Ukraine, Russia must be held accountable,” Khomchak said. "For every home destroyed, for every life of our people, broken or lost.”

But something is missing. Wining and dining Russians with the right hand while denouncing them with the left has to end for peace to return to Ukraine and the region. Severing diplomatic relations and arresting Russian diplomats will be helpful until Russian troops and their terrorist partners simply pack up and leave.