The Kremlin is already openly threatening Ukraine with war and the destruction of Ukrainian statehood, the Ukrainian side said during a meeting with the Baltic foreign ministers in Kiev on Thursday.
Concerns about the situation in Ukraine expressed Ministers of the Baltic States, noting that Russia’s aggressive policy and the concentration of military forces on Ukraine’s border pose a threat to the European continent as a whole.
During his meeting with his Baltic counterparts in Kiev in Ukraine, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kulebu emphasized that military activity on Ukraine’s border in recent weeks and continued ceasefire in Moscow-funded militant-controlled areas confirmed Moscow’s goal of escalating tensions and undermining diplomatic efforts between Russia and Ukraine.
“Russia openly threatens Ukraine with war and threatens to destroy Ukrainian statehood. I want to answer it very simply, with just two phrases: firstly, it will not happen, and secondly, we are not afraid. The whole democratic civilized world is on the side of Ukraine and international law, and this is one of the elements that prevents Russia from acting recklessly, “Kulebu pointed out.
At the same time, the Ukrainian side pointed out – the red line in this conflict is the violation of borders. To prevent this, Ukraine expects closer international support in the situation.
“Ukraine’s red line is our country’s border. If Russia breaks this red line, it will have consequences. We need to send a clear message to Russia that Ukraine is part of the Western world and that our Western partners will not leave Ukraine alone, “said the Ukrainian Foreign Minister.
Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs (JV) together with his Estonian and Lithuanian colleagues, meeting with Ukrainian officials, expressed the opinion that Russia’s aggressive rhetoric, propaganda and disinformation activities are unacceptable and disturbing. In discussions with its European counterparts and NATO allies, Latvia will continue to point out the need to send strong messages to Russia, warning of the serious consequences of a possible military aggression against Ukraine.
“Our visit is a testament to solidarity and support for Ukraine. It is quite clear that Ukraine is not alone, Ukraine has friends and partners. A military attack on Ukraine is something that cannot and will not be tolerated in the international community, “said Rinkēvičs.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielis Landsbergis also agrees, who emphasized that a clear signal must be sent to Russia that aggression will not go unanswered.-
“We know who is responsible and we know who is escalating this situation – it is the Russian Federation. And we know who wants to protect their country and their people – it’s Ukraine. We are sending a clear signal to Russia that these aggressive actions must be stopped, troops must be withdrawn from the Ukrainian border and the escalation of the situation must end. If the red lines are broken, the answer will follow, ”said Landsbergis.
Next week, the Foreign Minister has been invited to a forthcoming meeting of European Union Foreign Ministers in Brussels to discuss the worrying situation in the region. Meanwhile, Moscow continues to accuse Kiev of organizing “provocations” in eastern Ukraine and has repeatedly warned NATO not to interfere or send troops to support Ukraine.
Commenting on Ukraine’s rapprochement with Europe and NATO, the Kremlin said that this would lead to the collapse of Ukraine’s state.
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