Ukrainian President urges CARICOM leaders to support his country
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Friday urged Caribbean Community (CARICIOM) leaders to support a motion being presented at the United Nations next week condemning Russia’s invasion and continued war with Ukraine.
“I thank you for being on the side of the law. I thank you for your efforts to bring stability to your region and the world. But real stability is possible only when we all together protect the world from state thuggery,” Zelenskyy said, adding “so I encourage you to further cooperation”.
In a virtual address to the regional leaders who wrapped up their 44th summit here, the Ukrainian leader said next week “we will present at the UN General Assembly a resolution on a comprehensive, just, and sustainable peace in Ukraine, and hence the restoration of the full force of the international rules-based order.
“Your votes matter,” he added.
CARICOM had in February last year, issued a statement “strongly” condemning the military attacks and invasion of Ukraine by Russia and called “for the immediate and complete withdrawal of the military presence and cessation of any further actions that may intensify the current perilous situation in that country.
“The recognition by The Russian Federation of the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk represents a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine,” CARICOM said, noting that “the hostilities against Ukraine go counter to the principles of respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of another sovereign state and the prohibition on the threat or use of force, and the peaceful resolution of disputes, which are the bedrock of this Community”.
The 15-member regional integration grouping called on all parties involved “to urgently embark on intensified diplomatic dialogue to immediately de-escalate hostilities and work towards a sustainable peace”.