As the fifth anniversary of Russia's annexation of Crimea approaches, which culminated in an "illegitimate" referendum on the 16th March 2014, eleven Foreign Ministers produced a statement condemning Russian aggression and calling on the world not to abandon the cause of Ukraine and Crimea. The eleven countries in question were: the three Baltic states, Ukraine, Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Romania, Great Britain, Czechia and Canada. The joint declaration highlighted Russia's "contempt for the principles of international law" and the threat it poses to European security. It also expressed concern regarding the eroding of civil liberties within the occupied territory.
"Ukraine of today is profoundly different from Ukraine pre-2014, and has never before been so close to Europe and European values. By contrast, Crimea under Russian occupation is moving backwards. The people living there are ever more isolated, and the situation with respect to human rights and socio-economic conditions continues to deteriorate.
The annexation sets a dangerous president in a world order that was abandoning imperialism for cooperation.What is now going to stop Putin from planning his next strike, or President Xi from invading Taiwan, for instance? The threat is serious and real. So, the surprise is: why is it that, apart from Ukraine itself, only six former Eastern Block nations, three other European countries and Canada signed the declaration? When the US had some moral standing in the world, it would have probably made the loudest noises, but of course it won't do now for Trump to upset the Russians too much. What about Germany, then? Oh, right, it needs Russian gas. France? No, just eleven.
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