Ukraine’s Foreign Minister: The World Must Reject Russia’s ‘Anschluss’ in Crimea

Secretary of State John Kerry and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Deshchytsia, March 5, 2014So, the unthinkable happened: Within a couple of weeks, Vladimir Putin pulled off his blitzkrieg. Russia’s “anschluss” of Crimea heralds a new international reality.

To a standing ovation of his parliament on Tuesday, the victorious Russian president signed a treaty decreeing Crimea’s accession to the Russian Federation.

Recent events have dealt Europe and the global security system their heaviest blows since the rise of the Berlin Wall. Whether they are ultimately knocked down depends on the world’s reaction. . . .

[T]he time for diplomatic platitudes is over. Today’s Russia is a threat. Today’s Ukraine is the new frontier to all people of good will. Being a European democracy is Ukraine’s free and sincere choice. Many people have paid for this with their lives. Ukraine is the new place to stand — if you care about democracy, freedom and human rights.

Andrii Deshchytsia is foreign minister of Ukraine.

Image: Secretary of State John Kerry and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Deshchytsia, March 5, 2014 (photo: State Department)