Today, 94 members of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) submitted a draft Statement for legislative proceedings in the Parliament to mark the passing of a year from the beginning of the full-scale military aggression by the Russian Federation in Ukraine and to show their respect for the heroic people of Ukraine who are waging a selfless fight.

According to the draft Statement, the Riigikogu condemns the Russian Federation’s ongoing military aggression and expresses deep sympathy to the Ukrainian people whose close ones have fallen in the battles with the powerful aggressor or suffered in the genocide committed against the peaceful population. “The bravery of the Ukrainian people obliges the countries respecting democratic values to unity and continued cooperation for the victory of Ukraine. The Riigikogu calls on the international community to support Ukraine militarily, politically and economically more decisively than before in order to achieve this goal more quickly,” the draft Statement says.

According to the draft Statement, the Riigikogu supports the 10-point peace plan proposed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in November, which will help restore peace in Europe and prevent recurrence of aggression. “In order to implement the peace plan, the international community must help Ukraine restore its territorial integrity, hold the leaders of state and senior military officials of the Russian Federation accountable for acts of aggression and war crimes, and ensure compensation of war damages caused to Ukraine. Riigikogu calls on the countries of the world to tighten sanctions against the Russian Federation and underlines that sanctions must remain in full force until the peace plan is fully implemented,” Members of the Riigikogu point out in the draft Statement.

According to the draft Statement, the Riigikogu supports the establishing of the centre for prosecution of Russia’s crime of aggression by the European Union in The Hague and calls on the countries of the world to contribute in every way to the activities of the centre and to continue with efforts to set up an international special tribunal.

In the draft Statement, the Riigikogu condemns the attempts to admit athletes representing the Russian and Belarusian regimes to international competitions and the Olympic Games in violation of the principles of the Olympic Charter. “Neither the International Olympic Committee nor anyone else can remain neutral in regard to the war launched and the genocidal crimes committed by Russia’s terrorist regime – covering up these crimes with the Olympic flag is amoral and unacceptable,” the draft Statement says.

In the draft Statement, the Riigikogu calls on the Member States of the European Union to support Ukraine in implementing the reforms necessary for achieving the membership status of the Union as soon as possible and expresses support to Ukraine’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization at the first opportunity. “Peace and security in Europe are possible only after Ukraine’s victory over the aggressor. Estonia will continue to assist the state and the people of Ukraine with all means unwaveringly and steadfastly until this victory is achieved,” the drafters say in the Statement.

Since the beginning of the last year, the Riigikogu has adopted four Statements and one Communication to condemn the activities of Russia and express support to Ukraine. On 18 January, the Riigikogu passed the Statement in Support of the Territorial Integrity of Ukraine, initiated by 28 members of the Riigikogu; on 23 February, the Statement on the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, initiated by 86 members of the Riigikogu; on 14 March, the Communication to the Parliaments of the Member States of the European Union and NATO to ask for their support for imposing additional sanctions and for Ukraine’s official application for the status of an EU candidate country, initiated by 28 members of the Riigikogu; on 21 April, the Statement on the War Crimes and Genocide Committed by the Russian Federation in Ukraine, initiated by 84 members of the Riigikogu, and on 18 October, the Statement on Condemning the Annexation of the Territory of Ukraine and Declaring Russia a Terrorist Regime, submitted by 85 members of the Riigikogu.

The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu will discuss the sending of the draft Statement submitted today for debate and voting in the plenary assembly tomorrow afternoon.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
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