At its Friday sitting, the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu discussed the positions of the Government of the Republic in regard to additional sanctions of the European Union against Russia. Members of the Committee supported the opinion that the holding of elections in East Ukraine on 2 November and the recent expansion of the conflict there by bringing in more Russian troops request a response from the European Union.

“The European Union must be unanimous in imposing new sanctions on Russia if it is not possible to find a political solution. We call Russia to contribute to solving of the crisis with concrete activities, respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Kalle Palling said.

Estonia acknowledges the authorities of Ukraine who organised free and democratic parliamentary elections on 26 October. At these elections the people of Ukraine expressed their firm support to integration with Europe and their wish to see the implementation of reforms. The new parliament of Ukraine and the government that will be formed have a mandate and a responsibility to do that.

Estonia’s positions at the sitting of the EU External Affairs Council held on 17 November and at the sitting of the EU General Affairs Council held on 18–19 November were introduced to the Committee by Mart Laanemäe, the Undersecretary of Europe and Transatlantic Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Riigikogu Press Service