Putin must be branded a war criminal
Statement on the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Putin’s war against Ukraine is a European catastrophe and an attack on the fundamental values of the European community: freedom, national sovereignty, renunciation of violence and the inviolability of borders. Putin’s call for the “denazification” of Ukraine and the overthrow of an allegedly “illegitimate government” is an unprecedented cynicism. This tragedy was also long in the making. German and European politicians have far too long turned a blind eye to the Kremlin’s violent policies.
With our policy of appeasement and growing dependence on Russian gas and oil we have been feeding a monster. Now the West must respond united and employ the full arsenal of sanctions against Russia’s energy and financial sectors. Putin must be branded a war criminal, Russia isolated politically and economically. Any hesitation and half-heartedness only strengthens Russian aggression. Beyond this, we must completely reorient our security and energy policies. We must be prepared to bear the costs necessary to defend Europe’s political order.
