Ex-Defense Minister of Lithuania: Security of Ukraine is Security of Europe

“These days the destiny of freedom and democracy in Europe is being resolved here – in Ukraine. We must defend European democracy against a dictatorship labeled “sovietization”, -the ex-minister noted and added the following: “Russia’s striving to restore the Soviet Union has never faded. We must deter this brutal KGB style regime headed by V.Putin”..

Ms Jukneviciene said: “Deception, robbery and murder are just a fraction of  terminology applicable in description of the current Russia’s regime. It strives to return  the obsolete values while Putin attempts, through attack on Ukraine, to deal with their domestic affairs and economy challenges”..

In her opinion, the Wstern nations in fact support Putin actions financially, as they buy energy carriers from Russia: “The single way for blocking Putin’s imperial aspirations is to formulate new strategies for energy security for Ukraine and Europe”.

“We must join efforts with Ukraine and stop Putin through application of various means, including the military ones.  We must say ”no” to the fact of occupation of Crimea and “no” to the strategic partnership with Russia”, - the representative of Lithuania is sure of that. According to her, Kremlin regime must  be named “a strategic threat”, not “a strategic partner”.

According to the ex-Minister, “Ukrainian security equates with European security. That is the very reason for NATO members “not to make a mistake that had been made back in 2008 in Bucharest, as then it was a signal for Putin to act in Georgia, and he acted  similarly today in Ukraine due to Yanukovich support’.  She believes that it’s high time to rectify previous mistakes made by the Western community. The ex-Defense Minister of Lithuania is sure that “Ukraine and the Crimea mark the beginning of Putin;s end”.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The 2-day agenda of Kyiv Security Forum offers six panels, all open to the media. Any changes to the agenda will be posted on the Forum’s web-site.

Media professionals can make use of the press center with work stations, Wi-Fi access, and live broadcast of all the panels. In addition, there is a special media corner in the conference room.

Organizers are ready to facilitate individual interviews with and comments from the Forum speakers on advance notice.

The annual international event, Kyiv Security Forum, was initiated by Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation Open Ukraine in 2007. It is a platform for debates on the hottest European and Black Sea security issues. The purpose of the Forum is to enhance cooperation in the security sector between the EU and the Black Sea region, raise awareness on security developments among key players, and increasing the role of independent and non-government actors in identifying solutions to security challenges in Europe.

The event is supported by Victor Pinchuk Foundation, NATO Information and Documentation Centre in Ukraine and the Chatham House, UK.

Visit http://ksf.openukraine.org/ for more information on the project

Open Ukraine Foundation is an international charity created on Arseniy Yatseniuk’s initiative for the purpose of strengthening public diplomacy and building up Ukraine’s image globally. The Foundation achieves its goals through implementation of its key programs, e.g.: International Dialogue, Cultural Horizons, Young Leaders. The Foundation brings together a broad range of donors and individuals that care about Ukraine’s image and its future.

For additional info on the Foundation please visit: http://openukraine.org.