The experience and knowledge of the countries in the Baltic Sea Region must be more prominently featured in EU foreign and security policy on the Russian Federation, write the EPP group heads of Nordic and Baltic Delegations.
Tomas Tobé MEP, head of the Swedish Delegation of the EPP Group; Pernille Weiss MEP, head of the Danish Delegation of the EPP Group; Rhino Terras MEP, head of the Estonian Delegation of the EPP Group; Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP, head of the Finnish Delegation of the EPP Group; Andrius Kubilius MEP, head of the Lithuanian Delegation the EPP Group; Sandra Kalniete MEP, head of the Latvian Delegation of the EPP Group
Nine months ago, the Russian Federation initiated its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. Despite Russian expectations of a swift war, the Ukrainian Forces have shown remarkable resilience and determination to defend their territory and freedom.
Defending Ukraine is protecting democracy against Russian authoritarianism. As elected Members of the European Parliament, we see it as our duty to make sure Europe continues to stand firmly with our Ukrainian friends and provide the necessary humanitarian, military and financial support to Ukraine.
There are some lessons to draw in how the EU has handled the Russian Federation.
Firstly, the energy crisis we face today is partly due to our dependency on Russian gas. North Stream I and II were historical mistakes. The warning signs were many, yet ignored by those who do not fully understand Russian strategies.
Europe has to secure an energy supply that makes us self-reliant. Future investment in European energy sources, such as solar, wind and nuclear power, will be crucial to reducing our dependency on foreign and hostile powers.
Secondly, the EU and many member states have been naive in their relations with the Russian Federation. For example, some believed an attack on Ukraine was unimaginable until the morning of 24 February 2022.
Yet, our defence forces and intelligence services saw the likelihood of an armed attack on Ukraine. Bear in mind Eastern Ukraine has been under siege since 2014. In addition to the war of aggression in Ukraine, Putin is also fighting a financial war against the European Union.
We are experiencing the hostile behaviour of the Putin regime at firsthand. The Russian military is violating our air space, and the Kremlin is directing its threats towards our independent decision-making.
The Soviet forces once forced their regime on the Baltic States, suppressed opposition and silenced dissidents. Yet, the Baltic States never gave up their fight for independence and freedom. They chose democracy, not dictatorship – just as Ukraine is doing today.
We are fully committed to defending the freedom of Ukraine and the Baltic Sea States at every stage and against every threat.
Sweden and Finland joining NATO will further increase the security and stability of the Baltic Sea Region. It is of strategic importance for the defence of Northern Europe and sends a clear signal to Moscow: we are with the EU and NATO against Putin’s aggression.
This is why Finnish and Swedish accession to NATO is urgent. The protection of the Baltic Sea Region cannot be delayed for any reason.
With the Russian Federation, there is no space for naivety. It is a terrorist regime that spares no expense in targeting innocent Ukrainians. In other words, they are committing war crimes on a regular basis.
Ukraine will be one of the key priorities of the Swedish Presidency. This also gives ample opportunity for the experience, knowledge and concerns of the Baltic Sea State to be heard by the European counterparts in the Council and the European Parliament regarding the future EU policy on the Russian Federation.
Considering our views will enhance the EU’s foreign and security policies and further increase the EU as a strong actor in the geopolitical area. It will prevent any new mistakes from being made regarding the Russian Federation.
Source : Euractiv