Letters

Russian state’s neo-imperialist ambitions

No one should be fooled by Russia’s empty calls for negotiations

Sat Mar 4 2023 - 00:12

Sir, –It has been a year since the full-scale invasion and previously unimaginable Russian brutality broke out, though Russia has waged war against Ukraine for nine years. The only reason for this unprovoked aggression was the Russian state’s neo-imperialist and expansionist ambitions.

No other country in the world wants peace as much as Ukraine does. But what is peace? Is it the freedom of the occupier to rule over the land he has already ravaged? Or is it impunity for war criminals? Or maybe it is a respite and a chance to prepare for a new war and new crimes?

Lasting peace is not possible without justice. Three months ago, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy outlined the vision for ensuring comprehensive, just, and long-term peace in Ukraine and global security, the Peace Formula. This 10-point plan aims to restore respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

This is also reaffirmed in recently passed UN General Assembly resolution on the principles of comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine, supported by 141 countries.

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Regrettably, the peace today is not possible without Russia’s defeat on the battlefields followed by the diplomatic process.

No one should be fooled by Russia’s empty calls for negotiations. On one hand, Russia pretends to be ready for peace talks; on the other, it keeps ramping up its efforts on the battlefield, continues committing war crimes and crimes against humanity.

As US president Joe Biden recently said in Warsaw, the only word autocrats like Putin understand is “No”.

We say “No” to the continuing occupation of Ukrainian territories, we say “No” to killings, rape and torture of innocent people, we say “No” to the Russian hybrid warfare that seeds chaos through disinformation, cyberattacks, political subversion, business ties, and economic warfare, among other tools.

Our governments, together with many other democratic nations, stand united against the ruthless aggression and occupation of Ukrainian territories.

Poland and Lithuania continue supporting Ukraine by all means, including weapons.

This is the only way that lasting peace can be achieved and secured. A mere slap on the wrist after the Russian occupation of parts of Georgia in 2008 and Crimea and other territories of Ukraine in 2014 has not stopped Putin, but made him more determined to pursue his expansionist aims.

Russia must be stopped now, because appeasing the aggressor would lead to more atrocities elsewhere.

Unless it withdraws its forces from Ukraine, Russia’s defeat is the only way to achieve peace.

And last but not least – today it is evident that this war is not only about Russia and Ukraine. The end of this war will define whether a world based on internationally agreed rules and principles will exist. – Yours, etc,

LARYSA GERASKO,

Ambassador of Ukraine

to Ireland;

MARIUS GUDYNAS,

Ambassador of Lithuania

to Ireland;

ANNA SOCHANSKA,

Ambassador of Poland

to Ireland,

Dublin.

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