Lithuanian diplomat at UN: notions of ‘spheres of influence’ have no place in 21st century

Notions of “spheres of influence” have no place in the 21st century, Lithuania’s ambassador Rytis Paulauskas said at the UN Security Council meeting on Monday, amid mounting fears of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Times of limited sovereignty in Europe are long gone. Notions of ‘spheres of influence’ have no place in the 21st century,” the diplomat said in a statement he read out on behalf of all Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. “States have freedom to choose or change their own security arrangements. No third country has a veto right over the sovereign choices of independent and democratic states,” he said. Lithuania’s permanent representative to the UN reiterated the Baltic countries’ “unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders”. Paulauskas condemned Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine since 2014, the illegal annexation of Crimea and the further escalation of the situation through the deployment of military forces.

“The Kremlin continues to use a false narrative that Russia is forced to defend itself from a threat, even as the opposite is true – it is Russia who is threatening Ukraine and other neighbors by positioning over 100 000 troops,” he said. “Russia is not a victim as it attempts to portray itself – it is the aggressor strengthening its security at the expense of others.” The diplomat reaffirmed the Baltic countries’ “full commitment to the core principles of international security”, including the sovereign equality and territorial integrity of states, the inviolability of frontiers and refraining from the use of force. He called on Russia to respect the principles of the UN Charter, to de-escalate the situation and to engage in genuine dialog. The statement also reiterated the Baltic countries’ full support to efforts toward a peaceful and sustainable resolution of the conflict, including through the Normandy format, the Trilateral Contact Group and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The UN Security Council meeting was held at the US initiative, despite Russia’s efforts to block the issue from being put on the Security Council agenda. The Kremlin has amassed over 100,000 troops and military equipment on Ukraine’s borders, making the West increasingly concerned about a military conflict in Europe.