Vilnius Trip. Free Russia Forum

 

Nalyvaichenko: A dialogue between new Ukraine and new Russia is possible only after Russia returns Crimea, the occupied territories in the east of Ukraine and releases all hostages and political prisoners.

After Russia returns Crimea, liberates occupied territories in the east of Ukraine and releases all hostages and political prisoners – it is only then the dialogue between new Ukraine and new Russia is possible. This was stressed in Vilnius at the Third Free Russia Forum by the leader of the Justice Movement Valentyn Nalyvaichenko.

Nalyvaichenko laid emphasis on three key requirements for such a dialogue.

“First of all, it is necessary to return Crimea and liberate the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, withdraw the troops and intelligence services from there, and then release all Ukrainian nationals illegally held hostages and political prisoners in Russia, in particular Oleh Sentsov, Oleksandr Kolchenko, Mykola Karpiuk, Stanislav Klykh, Akhtem Chyigoz, Roman Sushchenko, Ilmi Umerov and all others. The third component is the prosecution of persons involved in launching of the aggression, committing crimes against humanity”, Nalyvaichenko said.

He stressed that in order to resume a dialogue between the two countries these requirements are unchangeable both for the current regime in Russia and for the authorities that will inevitably sooner or later replace it.

Nalyvaichenko: Dialogue between Ukraine and Russia possible only after return of Crimea, Donbas

A dialogue between new Ukraine and new Russia is possible only after Russia returns Crimea, the occupied territories in the east of Ukraine and releases all hostages and political prisoners, leader of the Spravedlyvist Social-Political Movement Valentyn Nalyvaichenko believes.

“First of all, it is necessary to return Crimea and liberate the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, withdraw the troops and special services therefrom, and then release all citizens of Ukraine who are illegally held hostage and political prisoners… The third component is the prosecution of persons involved in the deployment of aggression, committing crimes against humanity,” Nalyvaichenko said at the third opposition Free Russia Forum in Vilnius.

He stressed in order to resume a dialogue between the two countries these requirements are unchanged both for the current regime in Russia and to the authorities that will inevitably sooner or later replace it.

In addition, the Ukrainian politician called on the Russian opposition to pressure the Russian president to release Ukrainian hostages and political prisoners.

“Support us, make this issue one of the priorities on your political agenda,” Nalyvaichenko said.

Nalyvaichenko: Russian opposition must put pressure on Putin’s regime to release Ukrainian hostages
Nalyvaichenko addressed to the Russian civil society, Russian opposition, in particular, Garry Kasparov, with the call to support Ukrainian political prisoners.

The leader of the Justice Movement Valentyn Nalyvaichenko urged the Russian opposition to put pressure on Putin’s regime to release Ukrainian hostages and political prisoners.

“Oleh Sentsov and Oleksandr Kolchenko, Mykola Karpiuk and Stanislav Klykh, Akhtem Chyigoz and Roman Sushchenko, Ilmi Umerov and many other Ukrainian prisoners illegally kept in Russian jails. Give us support, make that issue one the priorities of your political agenda”, stated the politician in his speech.

The third opposition Free Russia Forum was taking place in the Lithuanian capital on May 25-26. The scenarios of systemic crisis recovery in Russia made its agenda. The Forum was attended by representatives of 23 regions of Russia, as well as politicians in exile.

Voice of America, May 26, 2017
From the article: Free Russia Forum: is there a crises in the country and should the sanctions be strengthened?

http://www.golos-ameriki.ru/a/form-free-russia-day-2/3872568.html
 
“In Ukraine we make a clear distinction between Putin’s regime and Russian nationals» — Valentyn Nalyvaichenko

One of the dialogue’s participants was Valentyn Nalyvaichenko. In 2014-2015 he served as a head the Security Service of Ukraine, and currently he is the leader of the Justice Civil-Political Movement.

According to him, an international legal responsibility must get underway concerning Vladimir Putin and his team. It is necessary to name those responsible for creating concentration camps, military field courts in the occupied territories, those who brought the Buk missile system to the Donbas territory controlled by separatists, those who shot down the Malaysian Boeing in the sky over Ukraine.

Nalyvaichenko mentioned that 90% of Ukrainians are clear about civilizational path of their country. It is the EU and NATO membership, i.e. the path taken by Lithuania, Poland and other post-Soviet countries of Eastern Europe.

Having noted the importance of the Vilnius Forum as a discussion platform Nalyvaichenko expressed readiness “together with the Russian opposition to press for release of Ukrainian political prisoners kept in the Russian jails. If this issue appears on the agenda of the Free Russia Forum – it’ll be very good!” – Nalyvaichenko is confident.

In a conversation with the Voice of America reporter Ukrainian politician reminded that economic sanctions against Russia were “the first response of the Western community to Putin’s undeclared war against independent Ukraine. This war brings suffering to ordinary Ukrainians – volunteers, civilians, those who are illegally held hostages either in Russia, or in the temporarily occupied territories.”

Speaking about the reasons for sanctions, Nalyvaichenko also mentioned the annexation of Crimea and harassment of indigenous people of the peninsula – Crimean Tatars. Not only Mejlis members or civic activists, but also ordinary citizens taken hostages are subject to repressions by the occupation authorities.

“In Ukraine we make a clear distinction between the Putin’s regime and Russian citizens who live under the same rough conditions as people in our country do. But sanctions are important to stop Putin and his army with intelligence, prevent further seizure of the Ukrainian territories. And moreover – it is necessary to withdraw occupation troops under international pressure and public pressure inside Russia itself.

International border between Ukraine and Russia is ought to be returned to its regular state. And of course Crimea must be liberated from the troops and military bases. In other words, from anything that poses a threat both for existence of an independent Ukraine, and for European security itself”.

Answering a follow-up question of the Voice of America reporter as to what should future strategy of the Euro-Atlantic community be regarding the Russian authorities in power, Valentyn Nalyvaichenko said that a strong U.S.-led international coalition must be built. It is necessary to step up pressure on Putin to make him withdraw Russian troops from Ukrainian territory.

“It serves the interests of the Ukrainians, as well as of Russians. Any war means victims on both sides; those are horrible tragedies for mothers. I know what I’m talking about. Because those Russian soldiers that invaded our country in 2014-2015 and were arrested are somebodies’ children. First thing we let them do was call their families. And reaction of their wives and mothers was absolutely genuine – they didn’t understand what their sons and husbands were doing armed in our country”, Valentyn Nalyvaichenko told.

He once again laid stress on the importance of sanctions as a strong instrument of influence on Russia to make it withdraw its troops from the occupied parts of Ukraine.

 

Voice of America, May 27, 2017
From the article: III Free Russia Forum: results and tasks for the future

http://www.golos-ameriki.ru/a/therd-forum-resalt/3873671.html

Who is destroyed by the undeclared war against Ukraine

The topic of restoration of territorial integrity of Ukraine and express of solidarity with the Crimean Tatars, who are constantly subject to repressions on the annexed peninsula, one way or another, was raised during many panels of the Forum. Valentyn Nalyvaichenko – former head of the Security Service of Ukraine, current leader of the Justice Civil-Political Movement – was among the Ukrainian participants of the Forum.

According to him, there is a will among Ukrainian politicians to establish good relationship with those who represent the voice of the Russian society. “We came here to deliver a message: aggression and occupation must be stopped. And second. We address Russian NGOs, human rights advocates and opposition with the call to place the issue of release of Ukrainian political prisoners kept in the Russian jails on their agenda.

It is also necessary to release hostages, civilians, activists, volunteers and Ukrainian soldiers from captivity in illegal detention facilities in the temporarily occupied territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. It is very important for Ukraine, and we feel certain, for Russia as well. We believe that an undeclared war against our state destroys both Ukrainian independence, and real Russian opposition”, Valentyn Nalyvaichenko said.

The leader of the Justice Movement thanked Forum hosts for inviting him to Vilnius. “I find it very important to communicate with the leaders of the real public opinion of Russia. Because human rights advocates, including Soldiers’ Mothers, as well as all Russian intellectual class have a right to and must know the truth. And we are able to get it across to them. Our voice is simple, but strong: we should unite to stop occupation and get the troops withdrawn. We should also contribute to the releasing of prisoners, captives, and hostages. This can consolidate the representatives of the new Ukraine and new Russia”, Nalyvaichenko believes.

Nalyvaichenko met with the Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius.

During his stay in Vilnius where third Free Russia Forum is taking place the leader of the Justice Movement met with the Foreign Minister of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius.

Nalyvaichenko thanked the chief of the Lithuanian foreign agency for unfailing support of Ukraine in its struggle against the Russian aggression. In particular, he underlined that Lithuania remains a proven and reliable strategic partner of Ukraine.

Nalyvaichenko called on Linkevičius to ramp up pressure on the Putin’s regime on behalf of the wide US-led international coalition.

The dialogue partners discussed the situation in Ukraine and topical issues of regional security and cooperation.

“It will be difficult for Ukraine to return the annexed Crimea and occupied territories in the East of Ukraine without the support of a wide U.S.-led international coalition.” – Valentyn Nalyvaichenko

The leader of the Justice Movement, Valentyn Nalyvaichenko made that statement during the meeting with the leader of the Lithuanian political party Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD), twice a Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius and member of the Seimas Žygimantas Pavilionis.

The sides exchanged opinions as to important aspects of the global and regional policy, situation in Ukraine.

The plan of cooperation between Nalyvaichenko’s party and Lithuanian TS-LKD and European People’s Party was also discussed.

To remind, the European People’s Party was the one to initiate the elaboration of the support plan for Ukraine and Kubilius contributed as one of its main planers and active lobbyist. Kubilius also chairs inter-parliamentary pro-Ukrainian group at the Lithuanian Seimas.

Nalyvaichenko refused to give interviews to Putin’s media in Vilnius

Staying in Vilnius, Lithuania, participating at the third International Forum dedicated the Russia’s pressing issues, the leader of the Justice Movement Valentyn Nalyvaichenko flatly refused to speak with pro-Putin media: “I will not talk to you until Russia releases Ukrainian hostages and political prisoners, returns Crimea and eastern occupied territories” – he told pro-Putin media bearers that wanted to have his comment.

FREE RUSSIA FORUM STATEMENT

The Kremlin’s aggression against Ukraine is an international crime.

Certain Russian political and public figures didn’t dare to make an uncompromising assessment of Crimea’s annexation and the Russian aggression in the east of Ukraine. The Free Russia Forum finds it necessary to make such an assessment being guided by legal and moral standards.

The war of the Kremlin against Ukraine violates territorial integrity of Ukraine, United Nations Charter, Conference on Security and Cooperation Final Act, agreement on the CIS establishment, Budapest Memorandum, Russian-Ukrainian bilateral agreements, Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and fully corresponds to the meaning of aggression given by the UN General Assembly.

Occupation and annexation of the Ukrainian territory accompanied by mass repressions against Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians, that took more than ten thousand lives, became pitch brands in the Russian history.

The war must immediately be stopped; the Russian troops should be withdrawn from the entire territory of Ukraine, including Crimea and Donbas; and internationally recognized Ukrainian-Russian border should be restored.

Future free Russia will strive for establishing good neighborly relations with Ukraine relying on the principles of international law.

Vilnius
May 26, 2017

Links in Lithuanian mass-media:

  1. Video from the Forum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNiKXd9KdlU#action=share
  2. DELFI: http://ru.delfi.lt/news/politics/valentin-nalivajchenko-prishlo-vremya-sozdat-mezhdunarodnuyu-koaliciyu-i-ostanovit-putina.d?id=74762058
  3. UAB Alfa Media: http://www.alfa.lt/straipsnis/50178517/buves-ukrainos-saugumo-vadas-antrajame-kare-svarbiausia-iveikti-korupcija
  4. “15 MIN”: https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/pasaulis/valentinas-nalivaicenka-krymo-grazinimas-ukrainai-vienintelis-imanomas-scenarijus-57-803550
  5. Current Time TV: https://www.currenttime.tv/a/28511151.html  (time-code 8.07-11.10)
  6. INFO TV: https://youtu.be/eJ9Vw8BLL44
Теги: Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, Vilnius