Direct Speech, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Ukraine

Edgars Rinkevics

''We urge our partners to evaluate the possibility of including the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk ''republics'' on the list of global terrorist organizations. The separatists in eastern Ukraine have been carrying out activities which can certainly be deemed as ''terrorist'', and the inclusion of these groups on the terrorist list would also be apply to EU resident, who, according to information available to us, are already fighting by the side of the separatists,'' the minister said.

He admitted that this is a legal matter, which would establish that no EU member would be able to cooperate in any way with the so-called ''republics''. ''This would be a very strong signal.

Work has already been activated in regard to this matter, and I believe there is a good chance to gain a consensus agreement amongst EU members,'' the minister said.

Meanwhile, asked about the possible participation of Latvian citizens in the fighting in Ukraine, Rinkevics admitted that the ministry has ''various types of different information'', but that it is having problems verifying the names and surnames of those persons possibly involved. ''We cannot rule out the possibility that there might be some from Latvia, influenced by Russian propaganda, fighting in Ukraine. The security services of Ukraine are currently working in an attempt to identify these person,'' Rinkevics pointed out, adding that if there are persons from Latvian participating in the conflict, they are risking with criminal proceedings in Latvia.

''However, it remains a fact that Russia has allowed a ''colorful bunch'' of persons into Ukraine to fight that country's army, and we see that a majority of those fighting on the pro-Russia side are not even from Ukraine,'' the minister pointed out.

As reported, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are prepared to recognize the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk ''republics'' as terrorist organizations, Baltic diplomats in Kiev have stated.

''The Latvian Foreign Ministry has already stated that it is prepared to do this,'' Latvian Ambassador to Ukraine Argita Daudze said during a press briefing in Kiev.

The Estonia and Lithuanian ambassadors to Ukraine also said that they support recognizing the two ''republics'' as terrorist organizations.