Russia chose the path of unilateral aggression

2 March 2022
Share this story

EUROPEAN UNION DELEGATION TO THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA AND SADC

By its military attack on Ukraine, Russia has started a war in Europe. Russia is breaking the rules of international law and of the well-established European Security Order.

The EU and its Member States condemn, in the strongest terms possible, Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine.


We call on Russia to immediately cease hostilities and withdraw its military from Ukraine, and respect the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine.


We stand firmly at the side of Ukraine.It was not Ukraine or NATO who chose the path of unilateral aggression – it was Russia. President Putin is questioning Ukraine’s right to exist as an independent and sovereign nation by falsifying historical facts.

To call the invasion of Ukraine a “peacekeeping” mission means perverting the Charter of the United Nations. In recent months, European countries have left no diplomatic stone unturned to find a
peaceful way out of this crisis, but the Russian government was not interested in dialogue.


French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, have held talks with President Putin. Other international leaders have intervened as well.

All these efforts have proved to be in vain. Russia did not reduce the military build-up along the borders of Ukraine that caused the tensions in the first place.


Now the weapons are talking and many people are suffering and losing their lives. We will continue to coordinate our reactions in the framework of NATO, the G7, the UN, and with Ukraine of course, who is a strategic partner for the EU.

Sanctions against Russia are in place now. And, we are increasing our security structures and those of our allies. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is not only about Europe. It is a wake-up call for the
whole world.

No country in the world can accept that the sovereignty of other countries is jeopardized, only because a stronger neighbour wants it.

The international community cannot accept the violation of fundamental principles of the UN Charter, which is the basis for the whole world to live together in peace and prosperity.


We, the Ambassadors from the European Union, commend Botswana for co-sponsoring the UN Security Council Resolution on Ukraine last week, thus signalling its traditional respect for freedom, democracy, and international conventions.

Russia alone vetoed this resolution.


Russia’s war in Ukraine will have worldwide repercussions, with increasing commodity prices, dwindling stock markets, and food insecurity. If we are not acting immediately, then we will all pay an even higher price.


The vote in the UN General Assembly this week will be another important opportunity for all countries to stand with Ukraine. What the world needs now, is a clear and unanimous condemnation of the Russian military attack on Ukraine by all UN Member
States!


Laurence Beau, Ambassador of France
Margit Hellwig-Boette, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany
Jan Sadek, Ambassador of the European Union

Last Posts

ELATED: Botswana’s Minister for State President Honourable Moeti Ceaser Mohwasa (right) with the Speaker of South Africa Hon Thoko Didiza at the signing ceremony. Photo: Bright Khumanego, Parliament of Botswana.

Call to embrace SADC Parliament

Share this story

Share this story… as Botswana signs Treaty Amendment Agreement By Moses Magadza in Gaborone GABORONE- Botswana’s Minister for State President Honourable Moeti Ceaser Mohwasa, has welcomed the signing of the Agreement Amending the SADC Treaty…

2 March 2022

ussian-delegates-emerging-from-a-Meeting-in-Riyadh

Main outcomes of the Russia and United States expert groups meeting

Share this story

Share this story(March 25, 2025) 1. In line with the agreement reached by the presidents of Russia and the United States, the Russian and American sides agreed to provide for the implementation of the Black…

2 March 2022

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with Channel One on Talks in Riyadh and their Outcome

Share this story

Share this storyMoscow, March 25, 2025 Question: Let us begin with your birthday. You have received plenty of birthday wishes. There was even a “marathon” of your wonderful verses. Did you have time to look…

2 March 2022

Victoria Adbaraya Toya Montou: The Warrior Mother of Haiti and the Unyielding Spirit of Freedom

Share this story

Share this storyBy Ambassador Phatse Justice Piitso20 March 2025History chronicles human civilisation, from the epochal age of monarchical and aristocratic despotism to the modern era of democratic supremacy. It has long been a subject of…

2 March 2022

Ambassador Yusuke Shimdo and Minister Moeti Mohwasa toast to the two countries' exceptional bilateral and diplomatic ties

Japanese Envoy, H.E Mr. Yusuke SHINDO commences tour of duty in Botswana, SADC

Share this story

Share this storyCynthia Thanda The warm evening breeze of 20th March 2025 and friendly smiles plastered by the government officials and the public welcomed the presence of His Excellency Mr. Yusuke SHINDO as he celebrated…

2 March 2022

Orange Botswana Expands Customer Access with New Airport Shop.

Orange Botswana Expands Customer Access with New Airport Shop

Share this story

Share this storyby Tebogo Nadisah Orange Botswana has taken a significant step in enhancing customer accessibility by launching a new service shop at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKIA). This expansion is part of the…

2 March 2022

Related Stories