Nine presidents of central and eastern European countries that are members of NATO declared on Sunday October 2 that they “
would never recognize Russian attempts to annex Ukrainian territory
”.
"
We cannot remain silent in the face of the flagrant violation of international law by the Russian Federation
", say in a joint statement published on the website of the Polish Presidency the presidents of these nine countries (Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia , Lithuania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania and Slovakia).
They recall having visited Kiev and “
seen with their own eyes the effects of Russian aggression
”.
“
We reaffirm our support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
We do not recognize and will never recognize Russian attempts to annex Ukrainian territory
,” the nine heads of state continue.
Read alsoAnnexation of Ukrainian territories: “Russian theater”
The declaration also stresses that its signatories support the decision of the NATO summit in Bucharest in 2008 concerning the future membership of Ukraine in the Atlantic alliance, demand the withdrawal of Russian forces and invite all allies to "
substantially increase their military aid to Ukraine
".
Russian President Vladimir Putin proclaimed on Friday the annexation of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson.