Rinkēvičs: Russian "Impunity will not be tolerated"

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On January 23, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, took part in the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union in Brussels, at which the EU Foreign Affairs Ministers discussed continuing Russian brutality in Ukraine, and exchanged views on Africa.

Edgars Rinkēvičs expressed an opinion that all possible support for Ukraine should be continued in response to Russia’s attacks on critical infrastructure and to challenges posed by winter. Focus should be placed on the deliveries of military equipment, including tanks and ammunition, as well as the reconstruction of the destroyed infrastructure, energy systems in particular, and the provision of the urgent humanitarian assistance. 

"In Latvia’s opinion, the establishment of an ad hoc international tribunal at the United Nations would be the most appropriate solution to investigation into and adjudication of the aggression perpetrated by Russia. The unity of the EU in the matters of a special tribunal would send an unequivocal signal to Russia and other subjects of international law that impunity will not be tolerated, as well as reaffirming the EU’s readiness to safeguard international rule of law," the minister said.   

The Foreign Minister called for a legal mechanism to be developed to enable the use of Russia’s frozen assets and economic resources for the rebuilding of Ukraine. Rinkēvičs expressed his conviction that the EU should continue political, economic and diplomatic pressure on Russia, including by adopting new sanctions, effectively imposing and extending the adopted sanctions, and preventing their circumvention.

Work should also continue on the establishment of an international coordination mechanism in support of Ukraine’s reconstruction, and a dialogue should be intensified with countries in the southern regions of the globe to counter Russian disinformation and explain the repercussions of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the causes of an increase in the prices of food and energy, as well as providing practical support for dealing with the consequences of the crisis.

 

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