Donetsk, Luhansk 'republics' are terrorist organizations

TALLINN - Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Reinsalu said that Estonia is seeking to have the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk republics declared terrorist organizations at EU level.

"Estonia will never recognized the illegal referenda of the Donetsk and Luhansk 'republics' in the occupied areas, which is why Estonia has initiated the process of having the Donetsk and Luhansk 'republics' declared terrorist organizations at EU level. We will likewise never recognize the areas that have temporarily been occupied by Russia as belonging to anyone other than Ukraine," Reinsalu said.

The Estonian foreign minister said that Russia is fostering terrorism and a new package of sanctions must be established against it as soon as possible.

"Today saw emerge the expected but nonetheless outrageous news from the Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia regions where the Russian-backed separatists have announced a 'referendum' whereby they are attempting to legitimize joining Russia. The occupying forces holding such fake referenda is a gross violation of international law and Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," he went on.

The minister noted that preparations for the illegal annexation of the occupied areas of Ukraine are a clear sign of Russia being ready to escalate the conflict.

"It could be by destroying Ukraine's critical infrastructure in large volumes, which is something we've been seeing in recent days, or by declaring a mobilization and switching to a state of war in the economy," he said.

"Ukraine needs even more military aid, and faster, to be able to defend and liberate its territory within its internationally recognized borders. At the EU level, we demand stricter sanctions against Russia and for war criminals to be brought to justice internationally," Reinsalu said.