Europe must stand with Ukraine
Russia's actions are an irrefutable and unprecedented breach of international law. Europe must answer with unity and severe sanctioning.
The recognition of the separatists regions in Eastern Ukraine by the Russian Federation and the subsequent invasion by Russian troops are an irrefutable and unprecedented breach of international law, of the Minsk Protocol of 2014, of Russia’s own international commitments, and a declaration of war against Ukraine.
By pursuing this line of action, the Russian government is not only putting the safety and the rights of Ukraine’s citizens at stake but is also harming the interest of Russians citizens.
The fact that President Putin has referred to Ukraine as “a modern construct that is inextricably linked to Russia” paves the way for a larger scale invasion of the country. This is why Volt calls on the European Union to answer with unity, strength, and severe sanctioning.
If the Russian Federation does not retracts its troops, Volt urges the international community to:
sanction Russian banks, companies, military personnel, and other Kremlin-linked individuals, their families, and their business partners;
stop all business deals with the Russian state, Kremlin-associated individuals, and companies;
freeze all assets of state-owned companies or companies and individuals associated with the Kremlin.
The EU must help strengthen Ukrainian institutions and Ukrainian democracy by supporting its civil society. Furthermore, we demand that the European Union Agency for Asylum coordinates the member states’ response and the distribution of refugees.
The Russian actions are a clear signal that Europe must be able to act in unity and defend itself in order to maintain its independence. This requires European Armed Forces. In addition, Volt pleads for a new supranational cyber division, aiming at increasing Europe’s resilience towards cyber and military threats while avoiding violence.
Ukraine has been under constant threat from the Russian Federation since 2014. It seems like the Annexation of Krimea, the besiegement of Eastern Ukraine and the constant propaganda warfare have all been a prelude to what is to come next.
The sovereignty of Ukraine is non-negotiable and we will always stand with our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.