Estonian formin: Russia must be held accountable for all crimes committed in Ukraine

TALLINN – Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said at a meeting of foreign ministers of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) held in Lodz, Poland, on Thursday that Russia must be held accountable for all crimes committed in Ukraine.

Reinsalu stressed that participating states must send a clear message that Russia, which is constantly violating international law and all fundamental principles of the OSCE and hindering the OSCE’s work at every opportunity, is alone on the international arena.

"In response to Russia’s actions in the OSCE, we must create rules for isolating the aggressor," the minister added.

Reinsalu recognized Poland, the current chair of the OSCE, for constantly keeping the focus on Russia’s aggression.

"At this difficult time, we must increase political, military and economic support to Ukraine. We must also begin reconstruction in Ukraine now, in anticipation of victory," he said.

"We must not tire until the war has been won because, in addition to the freedom of its country and people, Ukraine is fighting for the security of all of Europe and the values we cherish," Reinsalu added.

The foreign minister said that Thursday's meeting must send a clear message that we will not allow Russia to feel it has impunity.

"Estonia is steadfast in its support to holding accountable all organizers and perpetrators of the crime of aggression, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine, and creating an international special tribunal for investigating the crime of aggression of Russia’s leadership," Reinsalu said.

On Thursday, Estonia is also holding a side event on the political and human rights situation in Belarus with opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attending.

Reinsalu also had bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Armenia, Kazakhstan and Canada, and with Margareta Cederfelt, president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE.