Nestor said in Oslo that the Russian-Ukrainian war is the most serious crisis after WW2
At the European Conference of Presidents of Parliaments in Oslo, where the speakers of nearly 60 parliaments take part, the President of the Riigikogu Eiki Nestor called Russia’s military aggression into Ukraine the most serious security crisis in Europe after the World War II, and called on the states to take action to eliminate the growing threat.
“The greatest concern and danger in Europe today is the military activity in Eastern Ukraine. Although the recently concluded ceasefire is more or less in force, the tenseness of the situation shows no signs of abating. The aggression continues. Units of Russia’s regular armed forces participate in battle operations, and additional heavy forces and military units are sent across the border from Russia to Ukraine. As long as Russia does not stop lies and falsehoods, and denies that its armed forces are directly engaged in military activities, Moscow’s calls to find a political solution cannot be taken seriously,” Nestor said.
The President of the Riigikogu emphasized that Russia is a party in a military conflict who has violated the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Nestor said that pressure on Russia should be persistent and the sanctions have to be be continued.
“Ukraine is a European country, a member state of the Council of Europe. The events in Ukraine are a serious crisis in Europe. /…/The aggressor is a nuclear state, Russia. And the country that is being attacked is its neighbouring state Ukraine. Military occupation of a neighbouring country to increase your territory – it is an unprecedented case in Europe after the Second World War,” said Nestor.
According to the President of the Riigikogu, the Russian-Ukrainian war is a litmus test to the European democracy. “Democracy is not just a skill with words, but first of all activity,” Nestor added.
On 11–12 September, the Conference of Presidents of Parliaments from the Council of Europe member states is held in Oslo, where the issues of constitutional rights and freedoms, relations of majority and opposition in democracy, and sovereignty and security in Europe are discussed. Speakers of the parliaments of the Council of Europe member states as well as neighbouring and observer states take part in the two-day conference at the Storting, the Parliament of Norway.
