PRESS RELEASE : Volodymyr Zelenskyy – By recognizing “independence” of certain districts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Russia is creating a legal basis for further armed aggression against Ukraine

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 22 February 2022.

The decision of the Russian Federation to recognize the terrorist groups operating in the temporarily occupied territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions is another manifestation of aggression against Ukraine and requires an immediate response from our partners, including the imposition of tough sanctions. This was emphasized by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with media representatives following talks with President of the Republic of Estonia Alar Karis in Kyiv.

“This is a new act of aggression against Ukraine, which requires an immediate and decisive response from international partners and the international community. We believe that this decision of the Russian Federation creates a legal basis for further armed aggression against the state of Ukraine,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

The President noted that with such a decision, Russia violates all possible bilateral and multilateral international obligations, the UN Security Council resolution on Ukraine of February 17, 2015.

“We share the common view that Russia’s escalation around Ukraine is an unprecedented challenge for Europe and the world at large. It is in Ukraine today that the future of European security is being decided, of which Ukraine is a part,” the Ukrainian President said.

He called on Europe and the world not to repeat the tragic mistakes made in Georgia in 2008.

“We agreed on the need to immediately impose sanctions for another act of aggression against Ukraine. These sanctions should include a complete halt to Nord Stream 2. In addition, today Ukraine needs more than ever support from partners in terms of defense capability and economic support, economic stability,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

He thanked Alar Karis, who is visiting Ukraine for the first time as President of Estonia, which is especially important “in the context of a critical escalation of the security situation around Ukraine.”

“This is a very important signal for us, for Ukraine, for our society, great support. I am very grateful to you,” the President said.

“We consider your visit as a manifestation of solidarity on the part of Estonia, a reliable friend and partner of Ukraine within the EU and NATO. This is another important confirmation of Estonia’s firm and unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the President added.

He also thanked Estonia for its decision to transfer certain weapons, including Javelin missiles and a modern military field hospital, which is an important contribution to enhancing Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

Alar Karis, for his part, noted that Estonia remains close to Ukraine and will continue to support our country in all possible ways.

“Russia must stop provocations, stop inciting the conflict, which has been going on for eight years. Moscow must immediately and unconditionally withdraw its troops from Ukraine. We condemn all military and hybrid actions against Ukraine,” he added.

Alar Karis expressed his condolences over casualties in this conflict.

According to the President of Estonia, despite all diplomatic efforts, the concentration of Russian troops around Ukraine continues, including in Belarus.

According to him, Western leaders must protect common values and democracy, among other things, by applying a strong package of sanctions, because the threat to Ukraine is a threat to European security.

He also called for the doors of the European Union and NATO to be open to Ukraine.