JOINT STATEMENT of factions of political parties in Lviv Regional Council regarding the strong condemnation of the decision of the RF to "recognize independence" of the so-called "DNR" and "LNR" in the temporarily occupied territories of Eastern Ukra

22.02.2022

We, the members of Lviv Regional Council, strongly condemn the actions of the Russian Federation leadership regarding the recognition of the self-proclaimed quasi-state entities "LNR" and "DNR". The recent actions of the Russian leadership have become the ultimate manifestation of the cynical, criminal, anti-civilization and inhumane nature of the Russian government.

We regard V. Putin's signing of decrees that recognise pseudo-republics and once again order troops on the territory of Ukraine as a recognition of yearslong encroachment on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. These criminal actions of the aggressor state leadership contradict international law. They must be condemned by the world community immediately as well as appealed to international courts.

For eight years, the Russian Federation has been waging war against Ukraine, occupying part of our state, annexing Ukrainian Crimea, killing our military and civilians, and repressing Ukrainian citizens. The full-scale hybrid war continues and it is accompanied by daily blackmail of Ukraine and the international community, which supports us in our endeavours to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity.

We are convinced that on February 21 the whole world witnessed increasing pressure on Ukraine, encroachment on our sovereignty, our independence. Each of us must be ready for it, we have to learn to live in the present: a successful country, with a strong economy that resists the enemy at any moment. To do this, we need to strengthen Ukraine's military strategy, because the threat to Ukraine is obvious.

In the current situation, we, the members of Lviv Regional Council, call all Ukrainian political forces, organizations, institutions, enterprises and residents of our region for unity around the protection of Ukraine, its state and territorial integrity. We have one common enemy against whom we must be united. Only joint efforts can strengthen the defence capacity of our country and ensure the security of our region and every resident.

We appeal to all state authorities and local self-government bodies in Ukraine to immediately take all necessary decisions to strengthen the defence capacity of Ukraine, our army, the country's borders and civilian population protection. We find it necessary to immediately consider the issue of severance of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation; bans on the import of goods originating in the Russian Federation into the customs territory of Ukraine until the restoration of the territorial integrity of our country; adopt a bill to establish criminal liability for collaborationism and anti-Ukrainian sentiment; to freeze the assets of Russian business and owners-collaborators in Ukraine; close the border with the Russian Federation.

We appeal to the residents and entrepreneurs of Lviv Region to abandon the purchase of goods and services produced in the Russian Federation and to stop foreign economic transactions with the aggressor country.

We appeal to the partners of Ukraine and the international community to impose real economic sanctions against the Russian Federation as soon as possible. In particular, to block the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 Project, to impose sanctions on members of the State Duma and the Federation Council who voted for the recognition of ORDLO, personal and sectoral sanctions for the Russian citizens and economy, Russian oil and gas embargo. After all, we have ascertained once again that the pacification policy does not work with the aggressor.

Only in this way together we can stop the Kremlin's imperial ambitions to rebuild the Soviet Union, protect the mankind from world war and thousands of casualties. 
We believe in the strength of the Ukrainian army and we know it will do everything to protect Ukraine's independence and security of its citizens.
We firmly declare that Ukraine is united and indivisible. Ukrainians will never recognize the attempts to annex their territories. We will never give up national interests and Ukraine's state independence within its world-recognized borders.

Glory to Ukraine!