Leaders of European and US parliamentary committees issued a joint statement in support of Ukraine, Belarus’ democratic forces, and the Georgian people

“Thirty-four years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, we take pride in the historic levels of freedom across the continent and remain committed to a Europe that is whole, free, democratic, sovereign, and at peace. Yet, that vision faces grave threats as a coalition of forces opposed to Euro-Atlantic democracy – led by Vladimir Putin and supported by dictatorships in Iran and North Korea, along with the People’s Republic of China – continues its brutal assault on Ukraine. Innocent civilians endure bombs and bloodshed, while the stability of Europe hangs in the balance,” the Chairs of committees say in the Statement.

The lawmakers underline that while all wars end around a negotiating table, peace cannot come at the expense of Ukraine’s sovereignty. “Our governments must ensure Ukraine leads decisions about its own future. This requires urgent security assistance, a clear path towards NATO membership, and meaningful security guarantees, including plans for an international peacekeeping mission should a ceasefire be agreed to,” they state.

According to the leaders of committees, Ukraine’s fight is also the fight of Belarus’ democratic forces and the people of Georgia, and they have made their desire for democracy and respect for human rights crystal clear. “We must reject Aleksandr Lukashenka’s sham elections and deny him the legitimacy he seeks. We must stand with Georgians defending their constitutionally enshrined Euro-Atlantic aspirations against the Georgian Dream’s violent crackdowns. And we must push back against those directing flagrant assaults on peaceful protesters using tools we know will deal a crippling blow, such as financial sanctions,” the parliamentarians emphasise.

“In our shared spirit of democracy and respect for human rights, we proudly declare: Glory to Ukraine. Long Live Belarus. Georgia belongs in Europe.”

The Statement was signed by Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ben Cardin, Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Peeter Tali, Vice President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies’ Foreign Affairs Committee Lia Quartapelle, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee of the Parliament of Latvia Ināra Mūrniece, Deputy Chair of the Committee on European Affairs of the Parliament of Lithuania Ruslanas Baranovas, Deputy Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Lithuania Žygimantas Pavilionis, Deputy Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Sejm of Poland Radosław Fogiel, Vice President of the Spanish Congress of Deputies’ Foreign Affairs Committee Carlos Rojas García, and Chair of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada’s Foreign Affairs Committee Oleksandr Merezhko.

Tali joined the Statement when he was on a visit to Washington, USA, with the interparliamentary network United for Ukraine (U4U).

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
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Link uudisele: Leaders of European and US parliamentary committees issued a joint statement in support of Ukraine, Belarus’ democratic forces, and the Georgian people

Source: Parliament of Estonia