President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Co-founder of AIWS City, writing on the Russian invasion of Ukraine (pt. 2)

by Editor | Mar 20, 2022 | AIWS City and Rebuilding Ukraine, News

Do not believe for a moment that the 24 February full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia is “Putin’s war” and Putin’s war only. Do not imagine that the Russian people are mere innocent by-standers to the systematic attacks against civilian populations and to the bombings and shellings that are laying the country waste and reducing cities to smoking piles of rubble. The large majority of Russians who admire and support their leader’s actions are complicit to the crimes of war and crimes against humanity committed by his army in Ukraine. By being accomplices, they share the moral responsibility for these heinous crimes.

The full stadium of ecstatic youths with shining eyes who chanted slogans of Russian victory on 18 March in Moscow are carbon copies of the Hitlerjugend who once roared out their heartfelt support for their Fuhrer’s atrocities. Nor were the elders with them, there and all across Russia, any less guilty. In a sad spectacle for the whole world to see, they loudly announced their glee at the shedding of Ukrainian blood and their readiness to dance on Ukrainian graves. They could not forgive the Ukrainian people their desire to be free, independent and in charge of their own destiny.

As for President Putin sanctimoniously (and with mocking irony) quoting from the Bible at that 18 March rally, that was an obscenity pure and simple.

President von der Leyen: “Ukraine and the European Union have never been closer”

by Editor | Mar 20, 2022 | AIWS City and Rebuilding Ukraine, News

On March 18, 2022, European Commission President von der Leyen, BGF World Leader for Peace and Security Award 2020 recipient, spoke at the 8th Cohesion Forum:

“Millions of Ukrainians are seeking shelter in the European Union – torn from their families and country by Putin’s bombs. The scenes of war are devastating.

But the images of European citizens welcoming refugees show another picture – they show hope.

Ukraine and the European Union have never been closer.

Until Ukrainians can safely return home, and rebuild their independent and democratic country in peace, we will welcome and support them. Because they are part of our European family.

That is why, last week, the European Commission put forward CARE. This package of Cohesion Action for Refugees makes cohesion funds available for Member States. This will help them to build reception centres, mobile hospitals and schooling for children. It can provide employment support, for example training and language courses, or childcare facilities. CARE will help Member States to welcome Ukrainian refugees quickly and humanely.

For me, this is a truly inspiring example. Because it shows what a difference cohesion policy can make. Both as a short term response to crisis and a long term investment in democratic resilience. And the good thing is, there are so many examples like these, everywhere in our Union. From our pandemic response, where cohesion funds supplied ventilators, hospital beds and medical equipment. To the green transition. They all demonstrate the impact of cohesion policy in the everyday lives of Europeans.

We all know the great strengths of cohesion.”

Laurel for Peace and Security in Ukraine – Prime Minister Boris Johnson: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a “turning point for the world”

by Editor | Mar 20, 2022 | AIWS City and Rebuilding Ukraine, News

Laurel for Peace and Security in Ukraine Initiative called world leaders, especially BGF World Leader for Peace and Security Award recipients, to consolidate and unite to support Ukraine.

Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, BGF World Leader for Peace and Security Award 2018, discussed invasion of Ukraine with European leaders and President Zelenskyy in London.

Mr. Niinistö met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London on March 16, 2022 to discuss the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. The pair also spoke with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson.

Niinistö was in London for a two-day summit of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). The JEF is a British-led multilateral framework for defense cooperation that includes the five Nordic countries, the three Baltic states and the Netherlands.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, the president said that Finland can be assured of receiving “full support” from the UK, whatever decisions Finland may take regarding its security and defense.

Johnson said that cooperation between the UK and Finland will be strengthened in the near future.

Niinistö said he had a lengthy discussion with Johnson about the conflict in Ukraine. He stressed that the primary focus of NATO and EU countries was de-escalating the situation and halting the unnecessary killing and suffering of civilians.

When asked about Finland’s relations with Russia, Niinistö stated that there is no going back, as the financial consequences and deep mistrust of Russia triggered by the war will continue long into the future.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke at the Conservative Party Spring Forum in Blackpool, England, on March 19, 2022

He said that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a “turning point for the world,” arguing that a victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces would herald “a new age of intimidation.”

BGF to conduct research on global responsibility attitudes and activities of the business community on the invasion of Ukraine

by Editor | Mar 20, 2022 | AIWS City and Rebuilding Ukraine, News

The Boston Global Forum (BGF), Michael Dukakis Institute (MDI), and Global Alliance for Digital Governance (GADG) stand by the autonomy, peace, and security of Ukraine, and condemn Russia’s senseless and destructive assault on Ukraine’s territory. In early 2022, we created the “Laurel for Peace and Security in Ukraine” Initiative, with the mission of developing binding new international rules and instruments to safeguard the rights, interests, and integrity of countries that are too weak on their own to withstand aggressive hostile actions by more powerful countries.

As part of the initiative, we are conducting research on how businesses have acted in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The primary purpose of this research is to allow the global community and policymakers to learn about business behaviors in response to global events. Secondly, for the benefit of the businesses themselves, this research would provide prospective investors and business partners insights into the companies’ global responsibility attitudes and activities. Finally, we may develop a rating system to add another dimension to evaluations of corporate social responsibility and ESG practices.

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‘A Madman’s Dream’: Former Latvian President Vike-Freiberga, co-founder of AIWS City, On Putin’s Dangerous Designs On Ukraine

by Editor | Mar 13, 2022 | AIWS City and Rebuilding Ukraine, News

President of Latvia from 1999 to 2007, Vaira Vike-Freiberga was crucial in getting the Baltic country into NATO. In an interview with Vazha Tavberidze of RFE/RL’s Georgian Service on the sidelines of the Baltic Defense College’s Conference on Russia in Tartu, Estonia, Vike-Freiberga speaks about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “outrageous” demands and how she is fed up with being told to appease Russia and to “not annoy the bear.”

President Vaira Vike-Freiberga was honored as a Boston Global Forum World Leader for Peace and Security, as well as being a co-founder of the AIWS City and a Distinguished Contributor to the book Remaking the World – Toward an Age of Global Enlightenment.

Boston Global Forum launched “Laurel for Peace and Security in Ukraine”, and President Vaira Vike-Freiberga is one of leaders to support this initiative.

She said, “I think that Mr. Putin has lost more than he counted on with this adventure; his prestige is forever damaged. He has been labeled as a war criminal, as somebody committing crimes against humanity”.

Here is the interview with Vazha Tavberidze of RFE/RL:

RFE/RL: Some world leaders are saying the entire European security architecture is being undermined. What brought us to this day?

Vaira Vike-Freiberga: The demands that President Putin has put on Ukraine, both before the war and now, are totally outrageous. They sound insane, frankly. He wants to destroy everything that has been achieved since 1997. Well, sorry, I’m one of those [people] who spent eight years of my life as president working extremely hard for that. It was our conviction and our choice. So Mr. Putin has nothing to say about it. His pretensions to rule the world, to be the tsar of the whole European continent are a total madman’s dream.

RFE/RL: Could what is happening now in Ukraine have been avoided?

Vike-Freiberga: Well, again, remember how [Putin] claims it could have been avoided. I mean, listen to him, words from his own mouth: The Ukrainians should accept that they are not a nation; that they do not have a language; that they don’t have a history; that they do not have a right to national independence; that the governments that they have chosen and elected are illegitimate; that they are Nazis; that they commit genocide against Russian speakers, and all sorts of insanities. They cannot accept that. These are outrageous and unfounded demands that he is making on them. So, if that’s what it takes to prevent it, then no, it was impossible to prevent. I think he wanted to start a war to demonstrate a show of force and to scare the whole world in order to impose his demands.

Please read more here: https://www.rferl.org/a/latvia-vikefreiberga-putin-dangerous-designs/31744966.html?fbclid=IwAR0fwvFZIi7sSmk8yT6N_rnn-42-V8tLytpJGqlZfeyZ9OUYyQuewKVW3HE

President Ursula von der Leyen: “Putin’s attack on Ukraine is an attack on all the principles we hold dear”

by Editor | Mar 13, 2022 | AIWS City and Rebuilding Ukraine, News

Opening remarks by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel and President Macron following the informal meeting of Heads of State or Government of 10-11 March 2022, President von der Leyen.

“ Thank you for hosting us here in such a historical setting, for right now, the future of Ukraine and the next chapter of the European Union and of our democracies is being written. There is no denying that our fates are intertwined. Ukraine is part of the European family. Putin’s attack on Ukraine is an attack on all the principles we hold dear. It is an attack on democracies, on national sovereignty, on the freedom of peoples to choose their fate and to shape their future. Our response today to Russia’s heinous attack on Ukraine will as much determine Ukraine’s future as it will the future of the Union and beyond the European continent. So let us stay true to the principles that have guided our joint response so far, namely responsibility, unity, solidarity and determination.

This crisis has indeed made us face up to our responsibilities in the face of a new reality. First, our duty to continue ensuring reliable, secure and affordable supply of energy to European consumers. In the mid term, this means getting rid of our dependency on Russian gas, by diversification of supply, by massively investing in renewables. Renewables are home-grown, they create jobs, here in Europe. They are a strategic investment in our security and in our independence. This is why the European Commission outlined REPowerEU this week. REPowerEU is a plan to diversify suppliers and switch to renewables. By mid-May, we will come up with a proposal to phase out our dependency on Russian gas, oil and coal by 2027, backed by the necessary national and European resources. But we also addressed energy price spikes. By mid-May, the Commission will present options to optimise the electricity market design, so that it better supports the green transition. But consumers and businesses need relief now. And therefore, this week, the Commission came forward with guidance on price regulation in these exceptional circumstances, and the possibility of a new Temporary Crisis Framework for state aid to support struggling businesses. This is complemented by the option given to Member States to tax windfall profits from energy groups. And finally, by the end of this month, the Commission will present options to limit the contagion effect of the rise of gas prices to electricity prices. Finally, we need to be ready for the next winter. So we will set up a Task Force that will design a refilling plan for the next winter and coordinate the operation. Beyond this first step, the European Union needs to define a longer-term EU gas storage policy. And therefore, the Commission will table a proposal to fill up underground gas storages to at least 90% of their capacity by 1 October each year. So you see, it is a whole big package. And this will be our insurance policy against supply disruption. Similarly, the Leaders also discussed food prices and global food security. And here too, the Commission will come forward with options to address these important issues.

Putin’s war has also fundamentally altered Europe’s security environment. To defend Europe, we will need different forces and different capabilities. Significant additional defence investments in Europe will be needed. I welcome that some Leaders have announced ambitious steps to increase defence spending. More will follow. But we need to avoid fragmentation. Thus, we need a coordinated approach. Because this only will ensure that we maintain a military technological edge in our European industrial base and that interoperability is given between our European Armed Forces. This will be the focus of our work in the next weeks to come. I want to be very clear that we need to closely coordinate also with NATO. NATO is the strongest military alliance in the world. Thus, I welcome that the Leaders have tasked us to prepare an analysis of the defence investment gaps and to make sure that we have a clear plan how to deal with those gaps in Europe by mid-May, when the Commission is presenting the results of this undertaking.”

Please read full her remarks here:

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/STATEMENT_22_1708

Boston Global Forum, through the Laurel for Peace and Security in Ukraine Initiative, accompanies and supports President von der Leyen, a World Leader for Peace and Security Award recipient.