Russia is stealing Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions from Ukraine and threatening the world with nuclear weapons. We need to respond to this land grab with a principled stance, concrete decisions, and absolute unity – EU leaders need to convene and adopt strong sanctions as soon as possible. Energy is the key here – a price cap for Russian oil and gas are a must to reduce Russia's income and lower its ability to feed the war machine.
Let’s look at the magnitude of Russia’s illegal annexation. Russia will announce that around 20% of Ukraine’s territory is annexed to Russia. It is the size of 108 800 km2 – this is comparable to Austria and Belgium combined. Or Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands combined. Or 30% of Germany. Or the size of the Republic of Korea. If you add Crimea to it, the territory is comparable to three Belgiums and the Netherlands combined. And around 40% of Germany.
And let’s call things with the right names. Russia tries to rewrite the map of Europe. It’s a land grab. It's theft. Putin hopes to add legitimacy to his invasion with this step. The international community will never recognize it.
Nothing Russia does changes Ukraine's right to restore its territorial integrity or weakens our support to them. Ukrainians have proved this war is winnable. They have shown us all that high morale and excellent leadership are as important as military power. Ukraine has used our military aid with skill and determination. We will have to increase our support to Ukraine – both material (military, economic) as well as political and moral support. And we need to ensure that there will be no impunity.
One of Putin’s aims is to test and undermine our unity and resolve. We will meet this test. That is why we will continue our rapid and joint coordination in the wider transatlantic community.
