The President of the ALDE Party Hans van Baalen today issued the following statement:

The ALDE Party is extremely concerned by increasing tensions and the documented increase in the armed Russian military presence and their movements towards the Eastern borders of Ukraine in recent days.

European liberals are fervently opposed to the continued illegal occupation of the Crimean Peninsula and the ongoing destabilisation of Eastern Ukraine.  

These unprovoked actions risk further unnecessary bloodshed and send a clear message ahead of parliamentary elections in September as President Putin’s personal ratings continue to decline, pressure on opposition parties and political prisoners increases, and the coronavirus continues to wreak harm at home. Russian citizens deserve better. 

European liberals fully support the people of Ukraine in their desire to increase engagement and integration with the European Union and with NATO and echo the words of US President Joe Biden in solidarity and support of Ukraine’s fight to maintain its territorial sovereignty against continued Russian aggression. 

We regret that the requests of the President of Ukraine to speak with the President of Russia directly have not yet been successful. 

We call on President Putin to immediately pull back the troops from the border and de-escalate tensions in line with its international obligations. 

We call on all European leaders to support the efforts led by France and Germany through the Normandy Process, actively involve the USA and the UK into the discussions, and to consider imposing further sanctions on Russia if no steps are taken by the Russian government to de-escalate the situation. 

🇺🇦 We call on all EU leaders to support the efforts led by 🇫🇷🇩🇪 through the Normandy Process, involve 🇺🇸🇬🇧 into the discussions, and consider imposing further sanctions on Russia if no steps are taken. @ALDEParty
👇 Read my broader statement below https://t.co/tPNfMh3iod https://t.co/sBbaXwyYa9

— Hans van Baalen (@hansvanbaalen) April 14, 2021