Baltic States – CIS, EU – Baltic States, Forum, Legislation, Lithuania, Ukraine

NB8 conference in Palanga, 18.08.2014. Photo: seimas.lt

"The most serious problem is that people are dying every day – both civilians and soldiers. People die from Russian weapons, used by Russian military personnel, in shelling coming from Russian territory. Unfortunately, if Russia does not stop its aggression against Ukraine, the war will continue. Even though we experience heavy losses – dozens of our citizens die every day and the infrastructure is being demolished – yet, we will do everything to defend our independence. Russia will not bring us on our knees and will not drag us back to the post-Soviet empire. I am sure that without Ukraine this empire will be destroyed. We have made our choice," said the Ukrainian Parliament speaker.

According to him, the conflict not only concerns Ukraine but it also threatens Europe's security. When asked what concrete steps Ukrainians lack from Europe, Turchynov highlighted that attempts to find a compromise with aggressor have no prospects.

"European, international and especially historic experience shows that we should not be trying to find compromises with aggressors. Today the paramount question is whether Europe can defend itself from the aggressor. We must defend ourselves not only using reason and discussions, we must defend ourselves with weapons in our hands. Ukraine is ready to do this but we lack weaponry, especially modern. That is the support we expect from the EU. Today we are protecting not only our country but also the European security system," stated Turchynov.

Nevertheless, in the nearest future Nordic and Baltic countries will not provide military assistance to Ukraine. Politicians of Nordic and Baltic countries first of all intend to consolidate their positions with the European Union and NATO.

"Everyone's position is similar – foreign ministers and heads of states have to discuss these complicated matters on the EU level and in NATO meetings. The issue is very difficult and requires a great deal of discussions," Lithuanian Parliament Speaker Loreta Grauziniene summarised the position of Baltic and Nordic Parliament speakers.

Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament was also asked about Russian humanitarian aid which is being sent to eastern Ukraine. Turchynov said this is a provocation and an attempt to establish a corridor to provide Russian arms.

He noted that the Ukrainian Government has been providing its own humanitarian aid to people in eastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russian aid was an artificial action. According to Turchynov, Russian aid consists mostly of bottled water and salt, whereas there are no problems with water and salt in eastern Ukraine. He said that Russia is not interested in problems in eastern Ukraine and is more concerned with one of the biggest European salt mines in Artiomovsk.

As reported, on 18-20 August 2014, Lithuanian resort town Palanga will host the annual Conference of the Speakers of the NB8 (Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) Parliaments.

The Speakers of the NB8 Parliaments will exchange views on matters topical for the region. Special focus will be given to the Eastern Partnership prospects after the 2013 Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius while looking forward to the next summit to be held during the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (in the second half of 2015).

The politicians will also cover the latest security challenges to the region in the context of the events in Ukraine, the EU fiscal and monetary union, and matters pertaining to the Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and the Arctic Strategy.

Other items on the agenda: 4th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament to be held in New York in 2015; forthcoming visits of NB8 Speakers abroad; the venue of the next Conference of the Speakers of the NB8 Parliaments; etc.