As we informed our readers earlier, experts of our Association took part in global security forum “Globsec 2024” in Prague, actively working in panel discussions and events on the sidelines of the forum.
With a ground of “Globsec 2024” communicaitons, European Parliament Deputee and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, Dr. Anže Logar kindly agreed to give comments to our Association’s press attaché Ruslan Deremedved regarding Russian aggression, Crimea and European security challenges.
DEREMEDVED, Ruslan (D.R.) Russia has occupied the territories of a number of its neighbors, primarily the Ukrainian Crimea, and continues its aggression in Ukraine and other countries. Are there any risks and challenges for European and global security today?
LOGAR, Anže (L.A.) Definitely. The aggressive behaviour and expansionist policy of the autocratic regime of Vladimir Putin is the greatest threat to the multilateral world order in the past seven decades. Should Russia succeed in seizing and retaining even an inch of its neighbours’ territory, other autocrats will follow suit. Therefore, it is in the common interest, for the sake of world peace and the multilateral world order, that this barbaric war of conquest ends with a Russian defeat.
D.R. What guarantees can there be for the population of the territories occupied by Russia today during a possible peaceful settlement in Ukraine?
L.A. First and foremost, the West should provide unconditional support to Ukraine by all means necessary to liberate all territories occupied by Russia. Lenin once said: ‘You probe with bayonets: if you find mush, you push. If you find steel, you withdraw’. This aptly explains the logic of ‘Russkiy Mir’. Therefore, we must remain resolute and not allow Russia to seize even an inch of Ukrainian land. Occupying foreign territory is unacceptable under international law.
D.R. Are there effective measures to strengthen the sanctions policy against Russia? What control methods should there be in this area? How important are forums like GLOBSEC for achieving security goals in Europe, including support for Ukraine, primarily in the Crimea issue?
L.A. There is a political aspect to this constant pressure on Russia, where we must ensure the war in Ukraine remains at the forefront of international political debate. Forums such as GLOBSEC are of paramount importance to focus the debate on key issues. International conferences at the same time provide platforms to address issues like Crimea in greater depth with various stakeholders.
Furthermore, we must implement very strict oversight of commercial and trade relations between countries. It is essential to promptly identify and eliminate any grey areas in the embargo regimes imposed due to Russian aggression, which allow for the evasion of sanctions. Greater attention should be paid to the economic and trade links with Central Asian countries. There must be no war profiteering!
