Baltic and North European states promise to support Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia updated

Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden promise to keep providing Ukraine with economic, military and humanitarian aid and strengthen sanctions against Russia.

Source: European Pravda, with reference to the joint statement of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of these countries, according to the results of their visit to Kyiv

"Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the countries of Northern Europe and Baltic countries have been providing Ukraine with significant political, economic, military and humanitarian aid. We will continue working together to support Ukraine politically and practically, to facilitate its capacity to protect its independence and territorial integrity", reads the statement.

The Ministers emphasised that their countries would never recognize the illegal attempt of annexation of Ukrainian territories, including Crimea, and confirmed the strengthening of further joint efforts aimed at the liberation of the peninsula from the Russian occupation. 

 "Ukraine has the inherent right to defend itself in order to protect its independence and sovereignty and restore its territorial integrity within the internationally recognized borders. Russia has to cease its aggression and withdraw its troops from the territory of Ukraine", – it is stated in the document.

It was also emphasised that Russia is not the only one responsible for the destruction and humanitarian catastrophe due to which several million of people became internally displaced.

 "States that consciously help another state carry out internationally unlawful acts or facilitate such acts bear an international responsibility for it. We decidedly condemn Russia’s attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure facilities, including energy facilities, aimed at terrorizing civilians", the statement said.

The Ministers called upon Russia to liberate Ukrainian civilians who were illegally deported and arrested on political grounds as well as those who were captured and held hostage during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

"We decisively reject Russia’s irresponsible and extremely provocative rhetoric about nuclear weapons. We decisively condemn the lasting occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and relentless attacks on civilian nuclear facilities in Ukraine. These attacks are a gross violation of international law and pose a direct threat to nuclear safety", the statement says.

The foreign ministers insisted it was necessary to keep introducing sanctions against Russia and other states, companies and individuals who support Russia’s war of aggression. 

They also stated it was important to limit the issuance of Schengen and national visas for Russian citizens’ entry into the EU. 

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