Baltic states will never recognize illegal annexation of any region of Ukraine - Braze

RIGA - The Baltic states will never recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk or any other region of Ukraine, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze (New Unity) said in her address to the UN Security Council in New York, US, on Monday.

Addressing the Council on behalf of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, Braze strongly denounced the war started by Russia in Ukraine, saying that its consequences are felt across the globe, but warned that a rushed ceasefire will not lead to sustainable peace. The minister called on all countries, their parliaments, governments and the public to take action to substantially increase military, political, economic, financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.

Braze started off by noting that over the past three years since Russia launched its large-scale unlawful and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, it has failed to break the resolve of 40 million Ukrainians protecting their homeland. The Ukrainians, on the other hand, have managed to stop Russia - a nuclear-armed state of 140 million - from realizing its imperialist goals.

The minister underlined that the Baltic states' support of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders, is unwavering and unconditional. It reflects our conviction that the self-defense of Ukraine is the defense of our common global security and common future where might does not make it right. "Borders must not be altered by force, and we will never recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk or any other region of Ukraine. And the aggressor have no prerogative to decide which options Ukraine, a sovereign nation, may consider in shaping its future," said Braze.

In her words, the Baltic states welcome all efforts to bring a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace for Ukraine. A peace that is rooted in the principles of the UN Charter and international law. A peace that guarantees Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and freedom to choose its alliances and future. A peace that stops the brutal Russian aggression for good, with no opportunities for resurgence.

In principle, peace is easy to achieve. Russia needs to stop fighting - then it's the end of the war. If Ukraine stops fighting, it's the end of Ukraine, the Latvian minister said. She noted that Ukraine has the right to exercise self-defense, clearly provided for in Article 51 of the UN Charter. Therefore, countries providing aid to Ukraine, including military aid, are not party to the conflict.

"We emphasize that only Ukraine’s victory can ensure lasting security and put an end to Russia’s imperialist aggression. We strongly believe that a rushed ceasefire will not lead to sustainable peace; instead, it will embolden Russia and maybe others, encouraging further expansion and putting global security at grave risk. We must defend the principles of the UN Charter to save succeeding generations from the scourge of further wars," the Latvian foreign minister said on behalf of the Baltic states.

Listing the damage and suffering inflicted on the Ukrainians, Braze said that this is not an isolated and local war, nor is it just a European problem, as the effects are felt worldwide, affecting food and energy security in some of the world's most vulnerable regions, with injustice and impunity in one place having a domino effect, encouraging efforts to undermine international law elsewhere.

The so-called root causes that we heard today of the war are that Russia's imperial, colonial ambitions. That is the root cause. Russia seeks to restore its imperial sphere of influence and change the international order. Russia wants to decide the future and choices of sovereign countries and people. Not only in Europe, but in other continents as well, Braze warned.

At the end of her speech, in the name of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, Braze called on all countries, parliaments, governments, societies to significantly increase political, economic, humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine. We must stand with Ukraine in this existential fight, in line with the UN Charter, Braze stressed.

As reported, Monday marked three years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.