Dear Ukrainian friends, I would like to start by expressing my endless admiration for your courage. Your spirit is strong and your will to defend freedom and independence and to fight against this unimaginable aggression is extraordinary. To everyone who still believes in the United Nations Charter it is our moral duty and obligation to help you to win this brutal war.
Estonia condemns in the strongest possible terms the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. We do not and will never recognise the illegal annexation of Crimea or any other Ukrainian region.
First, our most immediate task today is to continue to raise the cost of war to Russia. Our response so far has neither changed Russia’s calculus nor stopped its aggression. To reach a lasting peace in Ukraine, we need a twofold solution. We must do more and speed up the military aid needed by Ukraine to liberate its territory and step up sanctions pressure on Russia. We propose to toughen the travel restrictions. Because people´s mindset only starts changing once they feel the impact to their own life and possibilities.
Every single person has a moral duty to step up against the outrage and injustice against Ukraine, against the evil the Putin’s regime represents. Every single Russian citizen has the duty to affect the course of its country.
Secondly, to reach lasting peace in Europe, we need to work on all efforts to ensure justice and accountability. Putin and his administration must be held accountable for the crimes of aggression committed in Ukraine. We see gross violations of human rights, attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, filtration operations and forced deportation, preparations for the so-called referendums, looting of Ukrainian grain. The list of crimes committed by aggressor is endless.
Our common duty is to bring perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity and of genocide to justice. As the ICC does not have jurisdiction over the crime of aggression, serious consideration should be given to the establishment of an independent special court. Respect for international law must be restored, international peace and security for future generations warranted.
Third, I would like to highlight the importance of teaching history. Our future depends on the youth sitting in the classrooms today and on their education. We are made by history, we cannot let the lack of knowledge to define our future. To avoid such a brutality repeating and see peace prevails in the future, we have to start teaching history of our nations, to evade misunderstandings caused by the active brainwash through the war of spreading the false propaganda.
I argue, if everyone knows the history of Ukraine, even for past 100-years, it will be easier to ensure that non-recognitions policy will last as long as it’s needed. Because those who know history, are destined not to repeat mistakes and build a better future. Today we see how ignorance makes it easy for any aggressor to put forward its false narratives and build the evil empire of lies on them.
I call everyone to join the initiative #learnhistory. We should invite our historians to record history lessons in all languages and create the space (“History Changes the Future”?) for these lectures, to help the teachers all over the world to find a credible material of our past.
Estonia will support Ukraine as long as it takes to help you win this war and restore Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
Last but not least, dear Volodymyr, I want to fully join your confidence. This war started in Crimea and it shall end in Crimea.
Thank you!
