- Reset + PDFPrint

President Ilves met in Warsaw with the US President and the leaders of Central and Eastern European countries

03.06.2014

"We are currently facing one of the most complicated crises of the modern era. Together we must remain determined to avoid the situation of future generations asking us why we did not do anything to defend freedom and democracy while we still had the chance," emphasised the President, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who was invited by the Polish Head of State, Bronisław Komorowski, to participate today at a working lunch with the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, and leaders from the Central and Eastern European countries in Warsaw.

"The situation in Ukraine is not a civil war. The attacks of separatists who are being supported and encouraged by Russia against the state and territorial integrity of Ukraine is what is taking place there," told President Ilves. "Armed terrorists streaming across the border into Ukraine and undeterred by Russia substantiates this fact, apart from the annexation of Crimea."

In light of this, those at the meeting in Warsaw acknowledged that Russia has become one of the participants in the conflict.

"However, our position is clear: the annexation of Crimea was unlawful and violated international law; the Russian-organised aggression has changed the whole security architecture that Europe has been relying upon since the Helsinki Final Act of 1975. The decision of the Russian Parliament to use an army against neighbouring countries to protect its so-called compatriots is completely unauthorised," President Ilves listed.

The most difficult task of the newly elected President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, is to ensure the solid protection of Ukraine's territorial integrity while achieving intra-Ukraine conciliation and the operation of state-run institutions; the hope that rests on President Poroshenko represents his strength, told the Estonian Head of State.

"Estonia is ready, with all the friends of Ukraine, to support the reforms initiated in Kiev and to build on democracy, a state based on the rule of law, market economy and openness, which are crucial in shaping a successful, European Ukraine," he emphasised.

The main issues that were discussed at the meeting in Warsaw included Russia's aggression in shifting the borders in Europe and the resultant crisis in Ukraine, together with energy security and preparations for NATO's autumn summit in Wales.

The Estonian Head of State separately thanked President Obama for his declaration today concerning the strengthening of security in our region. President Ilves acknowledged all the other allies that have also added to this security: "This represents a part of NATO's response to Russia's activities, which are aimed at changing the security situation in Europe, and constitute a part of the visibility of a credible alliance presence in Central and Eastern Europe."

The heads of states of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary took part in the meeting in Warsaw with the presidents of Poland and the United States of America.


Office of the President
Public Relations Department
Phone +372 631 6229