Adhering to truth

As I write these lines, Russian troops are continuing to sow destruction in their neighbor Ukraine. Hundreds of civilians, among which at least 58 children, have been killed; many more have been injured. Three million people have escaped the country fearing for their lives. Cities are being besieged and residential areas and civilian infrastructure are being reduced to rubble.

This war perpetrated by Russia does not only affect our Ukrainian brothers and it is not only a threat to the security of Europe. It is a blatant violation of the principles at the basis of the international order and global peace. No one will be safe if only the law of the strongest prevails.

In early March, the United Nations General Assembly reaffirmed support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and deplored Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in violation of the UN Charter. The resolution also deplored the involvement of Belarus and called upon it to abide by its international obligations. Two days later, the UN Human Rights Council condemned Russia’s violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, and established a Commission of Inquiry to investigate these violations and recommend measures to ensure accountability. This week, the International Court of Justice ordered Russia to suspend immediately the military operations that it commenced on Feb. 24, 2022 in the territory of Ukraine.

As in 2016, when Russia annexed Crimea, the Philippines stood by the principles of the UN charter and the rules-based international order. I want to thank wholeheartedly the Philippine Government for supporting the UN General Assembly resolution.

The Philippines is working tirelessly to bring all OFWs present in Ukraine to safety. In a sincere expression of solidarity, it has also offered to host refugees from Ukraine.

The EU calls on the Russian Federation to immediately cease its military actions, to immediately and unconditionally withdraw all its forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine and to fully respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognized borders. We ask our partners to speak out in support of this call.

The EU has accompanied this call by an unprecedented package of sanctions, the largest sanctions package in our Union’s history. The EU’s sanctions are a legitimate response to Russia’s aggression and the threat to European and global security. This entails economic sanctions targeting several sectors of the Russian economy, as well as sanctions against individuals.

While our sanctions are primarily directed at the Russian Government, the financial sector and the economic elites, they do affect the economic stability of the Russian Federation as a whole. It is in the hands of President Putin to put an end to this invasion, and its consequences for Russian citizens.

Since Feb. 23 the EU has imposed travel bans and assets freezes on 685 people and 14 entities. A total of 877 individuals and 62 entities from Russia and Belarus have been sanctioned for their role in undermining the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

The EU has also mobilized and coordinated Member-States’ assistance to the armed forces of Ukraine.

These sanctions come at a cost for the EU’s economy, in some specific areas. We have to be prepared for the consequences and stand with the Ukrainian people who are paying the highest price.

Measures announced by the EU have been very closely coordinated with partners and allies. Over 40 countries have so far partially or completely aligned with our sanctions. This is testimony to the determination of the international community to reject this invasion.

This war, waged by President Putin, has a crippling and gruesome effect. Its adverse impact is being felt all over the world, especially in countries, such as the Philippines, heavily dependent on imports of energy, food and fertilizers, and on all countries recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

While our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims, we need to stand in solidarity to stop this senseless war.

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Luc Véron is EU Ambassador to the Philippines.