“We have to see Russia’s war for what it is: a genocide, extermination of Ukrainian nation and the invasion of sovereign state”, Alar Karis, President of the Republic of Estonia

“We have to see Russia’s war for what it is: a genocide, extermination of Ukrainian nation and the invasion of sovereign state”, Alar Karis, President of the Republic of Estonia

The President of the Republic of Estonia Alar Karis at the Third Summit of the Crimea Platform thanked the Ukrainian President and Ukrainians for their leadership and bravery.

He warned that the Russian war against Ukraine is an existential issue for Europe and that Russia will continue to expand and build up its military presence in Baltic, Black Sea, and Mediterranean regions. 

Alar Karis called on all countries to support President Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula as a concrete way to just and lasting peace. He mentioned that Russia’s decision to suspend its participation in the Black Sea Grain initiative puts global food security at risk. The Estonian President highlighted the need for alternative routes and the use of the potential of Baltic ports while the Black Sea route remains blocked. 

Also, Alar Karis emphasized that at least 24,000 Ukrainian children have been deported to Russia and Belarus and asserted that Estonia will keep this issue high on the international agenda, including during the upcoming UN General Assembly High-level week. 

Alar Karis reaffirmed Estonia’s support for Ukraine at all levels and added that Ukraine will be a free and sovereign member of the European Union and NATO.