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Basic freedoms under threat in Ukraine, say European, Australian envoys
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A woman carrying her baby crosses a destroyed bridge as they flee the city of Irpin, northwest of Kyiv, on March 7. (AFP/Dimitar Dilkoff)
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mbassadors representing European and some Asia-Pacific countries in Indonesia have issued a joint statement saying that Ukrainians have the right to basic freedoms – including the freedom to live in peace and security – that “are under threat in Ukraine” after Russia's invasion of the country.
Russia launched a full-scale military invasion into Ukraine – a sovereign state and United Nations member – on Feb. 24, eight years after its annexation of Crimea.
"Ukraine has done nothing to provoke these illegal actions by Russia, which are a clear and flagrant violation of international law, the [United Nations] Charter, Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty," the envoys said in a statement issued recently. "Ukrainians simply wish to exercise their legitimate right to live in freedom and peace, like Indonesian citizens."
They said the conflict had major consequences for the global community; on "how we treat each other as nations and as individuals based on international law and the responsibilities of our UN membership".
Read also: EU seeks energy price-busting strategy amid Ukraine crisis
Since the invasion started, energy, transport, commodity and food prices have also increased around the world, the ambassadors said; therefore, "what happens in Ukraine matters to us all".
“Like ripples on a pond, the consequences of this crisis will hit the Indo-Pacific region, which needs to join condemnation of Russian aggression, so we can continue to build back better from the pandemic,” the envoys said.
Of 193 UN member states, 141 – including Indonesia – reprimanded Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and demanded Moscow to withdraw its military forces, in a historic UN General Assembly vote on March 2.
Read also: Ukraine crisis may send ripples through Indo-Pacific, analysts say
The invasion has sparked widespread condemnation and public protests in many countries, but Moscow’s relentless attacks since then have made strategic thinkers from Southeast Asia start to also reflect on the potential impact the conflict might have on the periphery, including in the Indo-Pacific. An analyst recently said that it would be best for Asia to do something proactively to stop such a conflict from happening.
