Russia is becoming a sick country that will take a long time to recover - Vike-Freiberga

RIGA, Feb 1 (LETA) - Russia is becoming a sick country that will take a long time to recover, former President Vaira Vike-Freiberga said on Thursday at the international conference in Riga called Russia's War Against Children.

She stressed that Ukraine must win a military victory and liberate territories, otherwise no one in Europe will feel safe, including those who live far away and think they are safe.

Vike-Freiberga noted that the damage done to Ukraine is in many ways irreversible, but some of it is reversible. She praised the resilience of the Ukrainian people and the poise with which they have faced the difficulties. The former President also stressed that the support of the whole world is important for Ukraine.

"Today it is particularly important to distinguish between lies and truth. The media and social media are full of lies. Propagandists hired full-time by Russia tell lies that are beyond comprehension, such as that Russia has ''freed'' Ukrainian children who were supposed to be sent to the West so that the Ukrainian government could make money from organ donations. These are nightmarish stories and outright lies. I have to say that this is a danger for the whole world. It is important that the world continues to receive factual information, to hear the story of the side that is facing a huge country with huge resources," said Vike-Freiberga.

According to the former President, Russia is being turned into a nation of paranoid people who have completely lost touch with reality and live in an alternative world that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and his minions are trying to create. In this situation, the truth becomes as much a victim as the cities and children of Ukraine.

"Truth is being killed by propaganda based on paranoia, megalomania and persecution mania. Russia is becoming a sick country that will take a long time to recover. Those of us who have the chance to live in the free world will not fall victim to the lies and will do our best to stay in touch with reality and in touch with what is really happening," said Vike-Freiberga.