Lithuanian Parliament pass a resolution on the situation in Ukraine

April 24 Lithuanian Parliament has released a resolution, condemning any form of Russian aggression in Ukraine and stressing the importance of dialogue between the two parties. The resolution reads:

‘The Parliament <…>, following the internationally accepted law principles <…>, especially the principles of peaceful international conflict solutions, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, human rights and main principles of freedom, established in Charter of the United Nations <…> condemns any form of aggression, including armed invasion into the territory of another country, occupation and annexation of its territory, organization of armed gangs and the sending of them into the territory of another country, also the illegal granting of citizenship, creation of puppet organizations and systematic violations of human rights in the occupied territory.’

‘<..> (The Parliament) recognizes the territorial integrity of Ukraine, part of which, with accordance to the Section 10 of the Constitution of Ukraine, is the Autonomous Republic of Crimea; states, that the Referendum, organized in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea goes against the Constitution of Ukraine and that its results are illegal and worthless; regards the ongoing presence of Russian armed forces and armed groups, controlled by them, as an occupation of parts of Ukraine, which is a rough violation of general imperative international norms of law; notes, that organizing, sending and supporting armed gangs , occupying state buildings within Ukrainian territory <…> is a rough violation of non-interference principles towards internal affairs of other countries, and the Russian Federation requirements to change the state and constitutional order, the defense of so called ‘Russian speakers’ is an illegal interference into Ukrainian internal affairs; states that following the international law in case of such rough violations, countries must cooperate so that these violations are stopped in a legal manner.’

‘Both countries are encouraged to create a dialogue and withstand actions such as promotion of separatism and blackmail in Energy Sector, which could complicate the search of an internationally lawful, peaceful and eligible solution’.

‘European Union is encouraged to treat energetic independence from Russian Federation as one of the main strategic tasks of EU energetic safety policy’.

Unofficial translation

April 24, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

Today Lithuanian Parliament accepted the resolution on the situation in Ukraine, condemning any form of Russian aggression in Ukraine and stressing the importance of dialogue between the two parties. Both countries (Russia and Ukraine – ed.) were encouraged to create a dialogue and withstand actions such as promotion of separatism and blackmail in Energy Sector, which could complicate the search of an internationally lawful, peaceful and eligible solution. Resolution was supported by 49 members of parliament, 1 against and 8 abstained. Read more in Lithuania Tribune: http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67139/seimas-resolution-demands-withdrawal-of-russian-troops-from-ukraine-201467139/.

Today Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė together with 8 other EU Presidents and Eastern Partnership states are participating in the anniversary event marking 5 years of Eastern Partnership in Prague. Swedish Deputy Prime Minister, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and European Commissioner Štefan Füle is also participating in the event. During this Summit the situation in Ukraine was discussed and it was decided to give 11 billion euros in support of implementation of important reforms in Ukraine over the next few years. Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Deshchytsia has also discussed questions regarding Ukrainian security and economic situation and stated: ‘The stronger the democracy in our East neighborhood the more secure we will become’. (Press Service of the President, unofficial translation)

Today Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Neris Germanas has met with with Alois Karl, the new Chairman of the German Bundestag’s Parliamentary Friendship Group for Relations with the Baltic States. They discussed situation in Ukraine, EU reaction to Russian actions and energy and security issues in the region. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs information, unofficial translation)

‘Vkontakte’ founder Pavel Durov is invited to come and stay in Lithuania with his team by Lithuanian startup community. Pavel refused to cooperate with Russian Government and disclose Russian opposition and Maidan activists data so he was forced to leave Russia. (ekonomika.lt, delfi.lt, 15min.lt)

The invitation you can read here: http://www.eddy.lt/2014/04/pavel-come-to-lithuania.html.

April 23, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė as well as the Presidents of other 8 EU and Eastern Partnership states will participate in the anniversary event  marking 5 years of Eastern Partnership on April 24 held in Prague. Sweden Deputy Prime Minister, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and European Commissioner Štefan Füle will also participate in the event. During this summit Leaders of EU and Eastern Partnership states are going to discuss how to ensure further Eastern Partnership Program continuity and efficiency considering newly emerging challenges for a region safety and stability. (Press Service of the President, unofficial translation)

On April 23 Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius  informed Lithuanian Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee members about four-party negotiations between EU, USA, Ukraine and Russia held in Geneva. Read more in Lithuania Tribune: http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67078/lithuanias-formin-hard-to-talk-about-pursuance-of-geneva-agreements-201467078/.

After meeting with Ukrainian Minister of National Defence Colonel General Mikhail Koval Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas stated that ‘Ukraine supports joint military brigade with Lithuania and Poland’. During the interview with Lithuanian National Radio journalist Agnė Skamarakaitė he also said that ‘Lithuania is in close cooperation with Ukraine even without any resolutions’. (BNS, bernardinai.lt, Lithuanian National Radio, Lithuania Tribune). Read more in Lithuania Tribune: http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67051/olekas-ukraine-supports-joint-military-brigade-with-lithuania-poland-201467051/.

Today European Union opened its markets for Ukrainian commodities by applying one-side duty concessions. Reduced or completely eliminated Ukrainian commodities import to EU tariffs will be valid till this year November 1st or until the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine will be signed. (BNS, 15 min, delfi.lt, vz.lt)

On April 23 Lithuanian Foreign Affairs Ministry diplomats met with students from Lviv University in Vilnius. Diplomats presented the most important Eastern Partnership accents, Lithuania’s experience while integrating into European Union, experience in United Nations Security Council. Students and diplomats also discussed Lithuanian relations with her neighbors. Meeting initiator – nongovernmental organization ‘European Choice’. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs information, unofficial translation)

On April 29 the exhibition Frumušika Nova 2010 / 2014 dedicated to Ukrainian democracy support will be opened in Vilnius St. Johns street gallery. St. Johns street gallery brought together artists, who participated in plain-air Magnus Ducatus Artis – Frumušika Nova held in Ukraine in 2010. Staff of gallery encouraged artists to remember 2010 plein-air and ideas that were born during it. This exhibition is the first time the canvas by painters Linas Liandzbergis, Audrius Gražys and photos of photographers Arturas Valiauga, Vladas Braziūnas, Alis Balbierius created during the plain-air will be presented publicly. (BNS)

Ukrainian support concert ‘For Your’s and our voice’ video

On 7th of April, 2014, at 18:30 famous Lithuanian artists organized a concert ‘For Your’s and our voice’ in St. Catherine’s church in Vilnius. The goal of the concert was to raise funds for humanitarian aid to victims of the protests in Ukraine and Crimea, strenghten development of democratic society in Ukraine and cultural cooperation between Lithuania and Ukraine.

The Concert opened and ended Vilnius Gediminas Technical University choir ‘Gabija’ performance. Traditional Tatars folk songs performed The Lithuanian Tatar children folk ensemble ‘Ilsu’. Saxophonist Petras Vyšniauskas, winner of the National Lithuanian Award, performed together with a singer from Ukraine Ulyana Horbachevska. Also in support concert ‘For Your’s and our voice’ appeared and such well-known Lithuanian singers as Arina, Aidas Giniotis, Algis Latėnas, Neda Malūnavičiūtė and Olegas Ditkovskis, Domantas Razauskas, Gediminas Storpirštis and Ainis Storpirštis. The Concert presented poet and translator, National Lithuanian Award winner Vladas Braziūnas.

Lithuanian National television broadcasted live this Concert.

Scaring the residents of East Ukraine

Journalists of Donetsk have collected various rumours that are spread amid the participants of pro-Russian demonstrations. All of these rumors have been heard from the protesters. Some of them remind of wild delusions but this is no joke – the fear of war and informational vacuum create a perfect environment for even the most unlikely fantasies. The fear is the main factor igniting the separatist activities. And the stupider the reason for fear, the greater the fear becomes (and the shouts asking for Putin’s help get louder).

By the way, some 25 years ago, many similar rumours could be heard in Lithuania. This happened during the years of the struggle for Lithuanian Independence from the Soviet Union. Many of them were spread purposefully by the members of the Communist Party, KGB and Yedinstvo. It was difficult to quash these rumours and those residents who were doubting the need for Independence tended to believe them.

People panic when they listen to various rumors

People panic when they listen to various rumours

Therefore, please, enjoy the creations of political technologists and the common people. They could cause uncontrollable laughter, but in this case, they cause uncontrollable fear, spark very real protests and lead to even more real casualties. Here is the whole list:

  1. Yatsenyuk said that everyone who doesn’t speak Ukrainian will be forced to leave the country.
  2. The Americans are staging a war in Ukraine. Genetically modified soldiers will be used (the story was told to a journalist at a hairdresser’s).
  3. It was neither the border guards nor the army that came to Donbas (Donetsk province). No, it was the dressed units of the Right Sector and Banderists who will begin the massacre of local Russians there. Thus, the Ukrainian army movement must be blocked.
  4. Ukrainian soldiers who came to the Donetsk province beat everyone, who speaks with them in Russian.
  5. In a particular factory (of course, different names are given of the factories were the storytellers themselves are not working), the workers are forced to transfer part of their salary to Maidan and pay for the maintenance of the Right Sector.
  6. Banderists will cancel allowance for raising children.
  7. Banderists have already been seen in the station of Donetsk. They were asking for directions to get to the Lenin square, where the tents of separatists are set up. Those who did not answer in Ukrainian, were violently beaten.
  8. The children will be sold as slaves in Europe.
  9. There is no more insulin in Donetsk province. This means that people with diabetes will die.
  10. In Donbas, the mines will be flooded. Afterwards, nuclear waste from the US and Europe will be kept there.
  11. Poisoned products from the US and Europe will be brought to Ukraine (this may be a modification of rumors concerning GMOs).
  12. Gays, pedophiles and zoophiles will take over the government and will introduce forced marriages according to their worldview.
  13. Public sector workers will be stripped of all the bonuses, thirteenth monthly pays and all premiums. That is, only the simple salary will remain.
  14. In Druzhkivka (Donetsk province), the mayor himself was telling people that in the case of him being removed, there will be no thirteenth monthly pay for public sector workers.
  15. Soon a complete mobilization will begin and people who will be recruited will loose their jobs and salaries.
  16. Banderists are unemploying everybody who speaks Russian.
  17. Drug addicts are joining the army. Also, when people are taken to the army, drugs are put into their tea so that they would sign all the required papers.
  18. The celebrations of the First of May and the Ninth of May will be canceled.

We would like to repeat. This is not a joke. These are the real fears of the residents in Donbas. That is why people are demonstrating and asking for Putin’s help.

Based on the material by the Ukrainian “Informational Shield”.