Ratas in Croatia: the occupied territories are and will always be Ukrainian territories

Speaking today at the Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform in Zagreb, Croatia, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas said that he admired the incredible bravery of Ukrainians in Russia’s ongoing war of aggression.

“Your strength, resilience and determination to live free are an inspiration to the whole world,” Ratas said and emphasised that at such historic moments, the international community needs to stand together. “We must raise the cost of aggression for Russia. We have to provide more military and other assistance to Ukraine, as well as support Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction,” Ratas underlined, and added that it was our common responsibility to bring those who have committed war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide to justice.

Ratas also pointed out that a week ago the Riigikogu adopted a Statement in which it condemned the annexation of the territories of Ukraine and declared the Russian Federation a terrorist regime. “The Statement of the Riigikogu says that violation of law can never create law. All territories illegally occupied by the Russian invaders are Ukrainian territories and will always remain Ukrainian territories. Estonia will never recognise the violation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine through aggressions and sham referendums,” the President of the Riigikogu stated.

The Summit was organised by Croatia and Ukraine. It was opened by Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk and Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the Summit by video.

At the plenary session, the representatives of parliaments discussed the situation in Crimea, focusing on sanctions, situation of human rights and the economic and environmental impacts of the Russian occupation. The discussions at the Summit focused on supporting of Ukraine and increasing international pressure on Russia on a wider scale, with the aim of restoring the territorial integrity of Ukraine. The participants of the Summit also adopted a joint statement.

During the Summit, Ratas has a meeting with President of the Parliament of Moldova Igor Grosu.

Source: Parliament of Estonia