To avoid a possible escalation by Russia towards Ukraine and a worsening of the situation in Europe, the international community must take “powerful preventive measures.” This was stated by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy after a trilateral meeting with colleagues from Poland and Lithuania – Andrzej Duda and Gitanas Nauseda at the Sinegora residence in the village of Guta in Ivano-Frankivsk region. His words are quoted on Monday, December 20, by the office of the head of the Ukrainian state.
“What are the sanctions after? I believe that there should be powerful preventive things, serious sanctions, so that there is not even a thought of escalation in any region,” Zelensky said. “Because we see that this is already connected not only with Ukraine, but also with any state of the European Union,” he added.
President of Poland: The biggest mistake is to agree to blackmail
In turn, Polish President Andrzej Duda expressed confidence that one should not agree to any ultimatums from other countries, including Russia. “I believe that the biggest mistake is to agree to blackmail. We must take a strong position,” Zelensky’s office quoted him as saying following the meeting. NATO’s approach to this issue must be consistent, Duda stressed.
Head of Lithuania: Sanctions must be convincing
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, in turn, expressed the opinion that penalties should be convincing. “We are introducing sanctions so that they change behavior. There must be an understanding: if something happens, there will be an instant and very serious reaction,” he said.
According to the head of the Lithuanian state, it is important that the EU’s actions are supported by Great Britain, Canada and the United States.
US State Department advised Americans not to travel to Ukraine
Meanwhile, the US State Department has updated its recommendations on Ukraine, advising United States citizens to refrain from traveling to that country “due to increased threats from Russia” and the spread of COVID-19. “US citizens should pay attention to reports that Russia is planning large-scale military action against Ukraine,” the US Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Americans need to remember that the security situation, “especially along the borders of Ukraine, in the Russian-occupied Crimea and in the Russian-controlled east of Ukraine,” is unpredictable and could deteriorate without warning, the US State Department emphasized. They added that “Russia’s military action in any area of Ukraine will seriously affect the ability of the US Embassy to provide consular services, including assistance to US citizens when leaving” this country.
Lithuania is ready to supply lethal weapons to Ukraine
Earlier, on December 19, Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anushauskas expressed his readiness to supply Ukraine with lethal weapons in order to strengthen its defense in case of aggression from Russia.
Recently, fears have grown that Russia is preparing a large-scale war against Ukraine. The West and Kiev accused Russia of transferring about one hundred thousand servicemen to the Ukrainian border. Moscow denies plans to invade and, for its part, accuses the West of arming Ukraine and conducting maneuvers near Russian borders.
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