On Thursday, 23 February, the Saeima adopted a statement on the anniversary of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, reiterating its strongest condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the Parliament’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. In the Statement, the MPs demand that Russia immediately ceases all military activities in Ukraine and withdraws all forces and military equipment from all internationally recognised territory of Ukraine without any conditions.
The Saeima urges to immediately and substantially reinforce political, economic, financial, military, technical, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine for it to defend itself against Russia’s war of aggression and attempts to destabilise Ukrainian state institutions, undermine the country’s economic stability and destroy critical energy, communication, water and transport infrastructure, as well as educational, health and cultural infrastructure.
“If we want to ensure Ukrainian victory and the strategic defeat of Russia, we can no longer hesitate or delay supplies of military equipment and ammunition, since every moment of hesitation, every delayed arms or ammunition shipment prolongs the war and in effect increases civilian casualties, destruction, and suffering,” said Rihards Kols, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, which is responsible for the progress of the draft resolution in the Saeima. “Only a defeated, demilitarised Russia and a completely liberated Ukraine—sovereign and indivisible within its internationally recognised borders—can lead us towards long-term stability and lasting peace,” emphasised Kols.
As underlined in the Statement, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is indisputably a blatant violation of the UN Charter, to which the international community must respond in order to safeguard global security and the internationally recognised rules-based order.
In the Statement, the Members of the Saeima call on the Euro-Atlantic Community and its partners to implement a comprehensive international isolation of Russia, including participation in the UN Security Council. In addition, the Saeima calls for full accountability for violations of international law and serious crimes affecting the international community as a whole committed by Russia, its allies and illegal entities controlled by Russia in the war of aggression against Ukraine, including the establishment of an ad hoc international tribunal to investigate and prosecute those responsible.
The Saeima considers the Russian Federation the most serious threat to peace and international law in Europe and globally. In addition, the Statement notes that the support provided to Russia and the provision of weapons for the implementation of the war of aggression in Ukraine and the killing of Ukrainian citizens constitute grounds for recognising countries such as Belarus and Iran as accessories to violations of international law, serious international crimes, and acts of terrorism committed by Russia against Ukraine.
Members of the Saeima advocate the need to develop a legal framework at the European Union level that would allow the Member States of the European Union to use frozen Russian assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine and compensation for the victims of the Russian aggression.
In the Statement, MPs reiterate their irrevocable decision not to recognise the annexation of Ukraine’s territories, including the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula, as well as their continued strong support for deeper integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic space.
Members of the Saeima express their solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, who tirelessly demonstrate exceptional courage and resilience against constant threats and attacks. The Saeima pays tribute to Ukrainian defenders and citizens for their courage and heroism and commemorates all the victims of Russian aggression—thousands of Ukrainian civilians and defenders.
Saeima Press Service