Russia may cancel recognition of Ukraine, Baltics: report
Russia may withdraw its recognition of the independence of Ukraine and the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, a Polish website has claimed.
The Kremlin at the Red Square in Moscow, Russia. PAP/DPA/Soeren Stache
The possibility was raised by Russian MP Yevgeny Fyodorov, dorzeczy.pl reported on Tuesday.
Fyodorov said, as cited by dorzeczy.pl: “In the future, Russia may withdraw its recognition of the independence of the Baltic states and Ukraine.”
He had earlier submitted a bill to the Russian parliament, designed to cancel the 1991 recognition of the independence of Lithuania, according to dorzeczy.pl.
The bill states that the recognition was illegal as it violated the Soviet constitution, dorzeczy.pl reported.
‘We won’t stop at Lithuania’
It quoted Fyodorov as telling Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti that “Lithuania is more dangerous to Russia, given the situation with the Kaliningrad Oblast and the confrontation with NATO and the United States.”
He added: “But it doesn’t mean we’ll stop at Lithuania,” as cited by dorzeczy.pl.
‘Ukraine left USSR illegally’
Fyodorov also mentioned Ukraine, saying that “it left the USSR illegally,” dorzeczy.pl reported.
The Russian MP said that cancelling the recognition of independence would be devised to “eliminate threats posed by these post-Soviet states,” according to dorzeczy.pl.
Fyodorov was quoted as saying: “When it comes to those ex-Soviet republics that pursue a peaceful policy, the recognition of their independence will not come under review.”
’No country in Europe can feel safe’: Lithuanian president
Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda warned that “no country in Europe can feel safe,” dorzeczy.pl noted.
He added: “If Ukraine falls, you can be sure that we’ll be next,” as quoted by dorzeczy.pl.
Tuesday is day 111 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: dorzeczy.pl, polskieradio24.pl