Estonian formin at OSCE meeting: Kremlin's action an attack on Europe

TALLINN - Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Eva-Maria Liimets underscored at a reinforced meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Permanent Council at the ministerial level that Russia's military attack on Ukraine is an attack against the security of all of Europe and a serious violation of the principles of international law. 

"It is a crime against peaceful people who have been suffering for eight years because of the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine and for whom the humanitarian crisis is about to be exacerbated," Liimets said.

The Estonian minister said that in an attempt to justify its action, Russia has lied to both the international community as well as its own people.

"We clearly and unequivocally condemn this action and stand up against both Russia as well as Belarus which, too, took part in the attack. We steadfastly stand up for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and support our friends both in our thoughts and actions to help Ukraine defend its state and the security and democratic space of all of us."

All those who spoke at the meeting on Thursday condemned Russia's military attack in Ukraine and its violation of OSCE principles.