Baltic Assembly calls on European leaders for even closer cooperation to help Ukraine defeat Russia

On 27-29 September 2023, the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament was held in Dublin, Ireland. Vice President of the Baltic Assembly Jānis Vucāns addressed the participants of the Conference, calling for even closer cooperation to help Ukraine defeat Russia.

"Politicians in the Baltic States do not have to justify supporting Ukraine. The Baltic people truly understand what Ukrainians are going through now. Our people completely understand why Ukrainians are determined to get every last Russian soldier out of their country and why they are committed to regaining every meter of Ukrainian land. There is no life, no freedom, and no development under Russian control and influence. It is, in fact, a matter of survival for Ukraine. Just as escaping the Soviet Union and joining the European Union and NATO was a matter of survival for the Baltic States. Ukraine is a democratic and like-minded country and has shown well that its place is in both – the European Union and NATO," said the Vice President.

Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk reminded the participants of the Conference that the democratic world had been turning a blind eye to the aggressive activities of Russia and that eventually led to the realities of today. "It was a mistake. And when Ukrainians woke up to missile attacks on February 24, 2022, Europe woke up to the realization of this mistake. Despite the terrible price of our freedom, I am glad that the free world has finally woken up, and I hope it will never again fall asleep to the sleep of indifference, irresponsibility, and fatigue," emphasized Ruslan Stefanchuk.

During the Conference, Presidents of Parliament from the 46 Council of Europe member states, as well as many neighbouring and observer countries and other partner parliamentary assemblies, discuss the repercussions of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the role of national Parliaments in Ukraine's recovery. The participants will also cover such topics as the challenges to representative democracy in volatile times and the importance of equality and diversity in public representation.

Read more about the Conference here. 

Photos

© Juris Vīgulis, Saeima of the Republic of Latvia & Secretariat of the Baltic Assembly