Putin has announced Russia's recognition of contested regions Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine as so-called independent states. He stated that he will send troops to these areas, as shelling is increasing in eastern Ukraine. As the European Greens, we see this as an escalation of the conflict and an attack on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Co-chairs Evelyne Huytebroeck and Thomas Waitz, stated:
"The announced recognition of the two so-called republics of Donetsk and Luhansk by Putin and the military intervention that followed are an attack on Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. It puts democracy in Ukraine in danger and threatens peace all over Europe.
"As the European Greens, we stand with Ukraine and its democratic institutions and express our support to the Ukrainian people. In dark and dangerous times, our values must remain our common compass.
"We ask for EU sanctions in order to protect democracy, borders and the basic values of our Union. We invite Europeans to show support and solidarity to Ukraine and to European values and their refusal to war, brutal border shifts and military aggression."
The Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, and its co-presidents, have stated that they stand with Ukraine and called for EU sanctions. Phillipe Lamberts, President of the Greens/EFA group, stated that "Massive violations of international law and border shifts in Europe need to be met with a forceful reaction."
Russia's recognition of the two so-called republics of #Donetsk and #Luhansk is an attack on Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity.
— Greens/EFA in the EU Parliament 🌍 (@GreensEFA) February 21, 2022
We stand with all Ukrainian people. EU and USA must react in a coordinated manner with effective sanctions.#Ukraine #Russia #Putin
Annalena Baerbock, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany and member of the German Greens (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen), responded that the "recognition by President Putin of the separatist self-declared 'People's Republics' in eastern Ukraine represents a blatant breach of international law and is a severe blow to all diplomatic efforts towards a peaceful settlement and political solution to the current conflict." She called on Russia to reverse the decision and dismantle military threats on Ukraine's border.
Die Anerkennung der separatistischen „Volksrepubliken" in der Ostukraine durch Präsident Putin macht jahrelange Bemühungen im Normandie-Format & der OSZE willentlich zunichte. Wir werden auf diesen Völkerrechtsbruch reagieren & stimmen uns mit Partnern ab. https://t.co/8uyLpb9WGF
— Außenministerin Annalena Baerbock (@ABaerbock) February 21, 2022
Pekka Haavisto, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland and member of the Finish Greens (Vihreät), emphasised that the recognition of the separatist regions in eastern Ukraine by Russia is a violation of the Minsk Agreements and international law. The country borders Russia, and Haavisto emphasised that "Russia has a responsibility to work to find a peaceful settlement."
FM @Haavisto: Recognition of the separatist regions in Eastern Ukraine by Russia clearly violates the Minsk agreements and intl law. Russia has a responsibility to work to find a peaceful settlement. Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected. https://t.co/Wqt46R1KsE
— MFA Finland 🇫🇮 (@Ulkoministerio) February 21, 2022
Yannick Jadot, Greens/EFA MEP, candidate for the French Presidency, and member of the French Greens (Europe Écologie Les Verts, EELV), expressed that "Europe must stay strong and united in the face of the expansion of Putin's authoritarian regime," highlighting that protecting the sovereignty and liberty of Ukraine is a necessity in line with Europe's values. He further emphasised that Putin's aggression is a threat to democracy and peace in Europe.
Face à l’expansion autoritaire du régime de Poutine, l’Europe doit rester forte et unie. Défendre les valeurs de l’Europe, c’est défendre la souveraineté et la liberté de l’Ukraine. #UkraineRussiaCrisis
— Yannick Jadot (@yjadot) February 21, 2022
Urszula Sara Zielińska, co-chair of the Polish Greens (Partia Zieloni), and Member of the Polish Parliament, expressed solidarity with Ukraine and stated that they would engage in "active Polish diplomacy, dialogue and negotiations on how to restore peace and ensure security" as well as prepare to welcome refugees since the country borders Ukraine.
As the closest neighbours and friends, we express our solidarity with 🇺🇦 #Ukraine.
— Urszula Sara Zielińska 🌻 (@Ula_Zielinska) February 22, 2022
We will do our best to provide you with all assistance. As @Zieloni we are in contact and dialogue with our friends from the Party of Greens of Ukraine. You have our support! pic.twitter.com/Y6J7s7kjZr
As a response to the situation, Robert Habeck, Vice-Chancellor of Germany and member of the German Greens (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen) led the suspension of Nord Stream II – the pipeline project which was given the green light by the last government and was set to provide Germany with gas from Russia. This is a landmark moment for our climate and ending Europe's reliance on fossil gas. It will drive long-term energy independence and is a critical response to the escalating tensions with Russia. Indeed, concerns about the pipeline had been expressed by the German Greens due to security concerns and what Annalena Baerbock called 'blackmail' on energy prices prior to the federal elections.
The European Greens stand in solidarity with Ukraine and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Sanctions imposed on 23 February
Green Foreign Ministers Baerbock and Haavisto are among the 27 EU Foreign Affairs Council members who have agreed to impose sanctions on Russia. EU sanctions have come into force as part of a coordinated Western response, and target the people and entities involved in the illegal decision to recognise the breakaway regions. It will target banks financing the Russian military apparatus, ban trade with the two breakaway regions, and limit the Russian government's ability to raise capital on the EU's financial markets.
The EU has also increased its financial assistance to Ukraine, providing 120 billion euros in macro-financial assistance in support of Ukraine's reform processes and resilience, and emergency aid. Haavisto announced that Finland will also support Ukraine with additional development cooperation and humanitarian aid. Baerbock has strongly assured her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba of Germany's 'unbreakable solidarity with Ukraine' and emphasised the united stance of the EU and G7 on the Ukraine crisis.
#Russlands offene Verachtung für das Völkerrecht ist ein Bruch für die Verhältnisse in Europa. Drei Dinge sind jetzt wichtig: Einig in der EU und @G7 zu stehen. Ein deutliches Stopp-Schild mit Sanktionen aufzuzeigen. Alles zu tun, um eine weitere Eskalationen zu verhindern. pic.twitter.com/zUe4ZwATpp
— Außenministerin Annalena Baerbock (@ABaerbock) February 22, 2022
The European Greens stand with Ukraine
As the European Greens, we stand in solidarity with Ukraine and condemn Russia's shameful military action which flagrantly violates international law. After an emergency party leader's meeting on Friday, the European Greens issued a statement.
🇺🇦 Following an emergency meeting of Green party leaders, the Committee of the European Greens has issued a statement on Ukraine.
— European Greens (@europeangreens) February 25, 2022
Read our full statement and demands 👇https://t.co/4Z3Oq0U7pS
As part of our statement, we urged people to join a solidarity action with Ukraine. In the last few days, Green politicians joined anti-war demonstrations in cities across Europe. Hundreds of thousands of people showed solidarity for Ukraine, with as many as 15,000 in Amsterdam and 100,000 in Berlin, to name a few.
Unsere Gedanken sind weiterhin bei den Menschen in der Ukraine. Wir stehen an eurer Seite, euch gilt unsere volle Solidarität. Danke an alle, die dieser Tage für eine Zeichen des Friedens auf die Straße gehen! #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/G5LhZp2h3S
— BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN (@Die_Gruenen) February 27, 2022
#StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/4nBuR1sxeL
— GroenLinks (@groenlinks) February 27, 2022
Dans la rue, avec les écologistes, en soutien au peuple ukrainien, pour la démocratie et la paix en Europe.#Ukraine pic.twitter.com/FBfqqEzxMr
— Julien Bayou (@julienbayou) February 26, 2022
Tausende Menschen haben sich in vielen österreichischen Städten versammelt, um gemeinsam für die Ukraine 🇺🇦🇦🇹 zu demonstrieren 🕊 #standwithukraine ✌️ pic.twitter.com/JJ6IMbePN1
— Die Grünen (@diegruenen) February 26, 2022
