Russian war criminals will have to face Hague - Foreign Ministry's parliamentary secretary

RIGA - Latvian Foreign Ministry's parliamentary secretary Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica is confident that the Russian officials responsible for war crimes in Ukraine will be tried at the International Criminal Court in the Hague.

The politician said at the European Union Information Providers’ Forum, “We Must Not Keep Silent!" that Ukraine has passed another horrid night. Unconfirmed sources reported that Russia has used chemical weapons when attacking Mariupol. 

"We do not know it yet for sure, but it shows how dramatic, unhumane and unacceptable the situation is. The horrors of war have become a cruel reality in lives of Europeans and brutal war crimes have been committees in Europe," said Kalnina-Lukasevica.

She underscored that Bucha where women, children and senior citizens were brutally murdered is less than 1,000 kilometers away from Latvia. Everybody had hopes that bloody wars in Europe are past, but the reality is different.

"February 24 is the border line when Russia unleashed a brutal and military attack on Ukraine, breaching the international order that had been built after World War II. It is an attack not only on a sovereign, peaceful neighboring country, but also on democratic values in the whole world," said Kalnina-Lukasevica.

She said that the world's response to this should be united, clear and strong.

Kalnina-Lukasevica said that since the first day of Russia's attack on Ukraine Latvia has addressed and cooperated with partners in the whole world. Europe and its transatlantic partners have agreed on unprecedented and targeted sanctions against Russia, but it is not enough. The politician said that in order to stop Russia's attack, further steps should be made, introducing sanctions against Russia's energy sector, even though it would be hard.

She said that Russia's war has finally opened eyes for those who did not want to accept the reality that Russia is not a loyal partner. The current events prove that Russia has always been ready to use military force against countries who afford to disagree with it or criticize its actions.

She underscored that Russia understands only the language of power, therefore Europe and transatlantic partners should do everything possible to strengthen the defense capabilities by making respective investments.