The Baltic Rim Economies 1/2024 focused on Ukraine’s integration to west.
”Ukrainians have bravely kept on defending their country and independence for almost two years. Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine has permanently changed the European security order. Ukraine is fighting not only for its very existence and freedom but also for our common values: democracy, rule of law, human rights and respect for international law.”
Elina Valtonen
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Finland
”The people of Ukraine are right now bearing the brunt of Russia’s horrific violence in the large-scale aggression that has lasted for two years. However, Russia’s wider war is against all of us who wish to live freely in a rules-based world of sovereign states. This war did not start in Ukraine and, if the world makes the same mistakes it has previously made in its dealings with Russia, then it will not end in Ukraine either.”
Margus Tsahkna
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia
”A decade ago, Ukrainians took to the streets in protest of the decision to abandon the EU–Ukraine Association Agreement, aimed to forge closer political and economic ties. The Euromaidan events clearly manifested the “European choice” and how the people of Ukraine see themselves and their country.”
Krišjānis Kariņš
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Latvia
”Russia’s two-year-long offensive war against Ukraine has caused significant damage every day. The greatest and irreplaceable harm is, of course, the war victims who have lost their lives. These sacrifices are priceless. The war also causes great mental suffering and trauma, which can hopefully be alleviated to some extent, but never completely eliminated. This burden will weigh on the hearts of Ukrainians for generations to come. The role of Western countries in the post-war period will be significant in the reconstruction of the country. The success of reconstruction will play a significant role in laying the foundation for Ukraine’s future.”
Tomi Taipale
Honorary Consul of Lithuania
Turku Region
Finland
”Ukrainians have bravely kept on defending their country and independence for almost two years. Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine has permanently changed the European security order. Ukraine is fighting not only for its very existence and freedom but also for our common values: democracy, rule of law, human rights and respect for international law.”
Elina Valtonen
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Finland
”The people of Ukraine are right now bearing the brunt of Russia’s horrific violence in the large-scale aggression that has lasted for two years. However, Russia’s wider war is against all of us who wish to live freely in a rules-based world of sovereign states. This war did not start in Ukraine and, if the world makes the same mistakes it has previously made in its dealings with Russia, then it will not end in Ukraine either.”
Margus Tsahkna
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia
”A decade ago, Ukrainians took to the streets in protest of the decision to abandon the EU–Ukraine Association Agreement, aimed to forge closer political and economic ties. The Euromaidan events clearly manifested the “European choice” and how the people of Ukraine see themselves and their country.”
Krišjānis Kariņš
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Latvia
”Russia’s two-year-long offensive war against Ukraine has caused significant damage every day. The greatest and irreplaceable harm is, of course, the war victims who have lost their lives. These sacrifices are priceless. The war also causes great mental suffering and trauma, which can hopefully be alleviated to some extent, but never completely eliminated. This burden will weigh on the hearts of Ukrainians for generations to come. The role of Western countries in the post-war period will be significant in the reconstruction of the country. The success of reconstruction will play a significant role in laying the foundation for Ukraine’s future.”
Tomi Taipale
Honorary Consul of Lithuania
Turku Region
Finland
