Victory in Ukraine’s fight for freedom is essential for protecting peace and the rules-based order

“If Ukraine is left alone, Russia will destroy us.’’

These words from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the 2024 Munich Security Conference convey a simple message for the Western world: full support for Ukraine is not optional, it is a necessity for peace, democracy and the survival of the rules-based international order.

Helping Ukraine on the road to victory

Europe has stayed united on Ukraine and taken historic decisions over the past two years since Russia’s brutal full-scale attack. Ukraine has shown that its place is in Europe, as a fully-fledged member of the European Union.

Russia is clearly counting on war fatigue in Ukraine and among its partners. But make no mistake: Russia is facing far more problems, despite the regime’s efforts to conceal reality. Sanctions are eroding Russia’s economy. Technology sanctions in particular are having an increasingly significant impact.

In 2024, Russia will allocate a record amount to military spending. Yet, Russia does not even rank among the world’s top 10 wealthiest countries. Its economy is two-and-a-half times smaller than Germany’s and around half that of the UK. It is dwarfed by the combined economic power of Ukraine’s supporters, but that gives us no reason for complacency. We must mobilise our economic advantage to support Ukraine.

Russia is continuing the war because it believes in its ability to outlast its opponents. That is why it is crucial that the West sends clear signals of its intent to continue support for Ukraine until victory is achieved.

Latvia is among the partners providing financial and military support. Given the importance of planning for the war effort, we think Western nations should agree on a specific minimum percentage of GDP to be earmarked in annual budgets for financial support. If NATO allies allocated just 0.25 % of GDP for Ukraine, for example, it would amount to around €100 bn per year. I have no doubt the Kremlin would get the message behind such long-term resolve.

We must ensure too that the money is put to best use, meeting Ukraine’s defence priorities.  To fulfil Ukraine’s needs and strengthen our own defences, Europe must move urgently to restore its military-industrial capabilities. We should also make a greater effort to explain the consequences of Russia’s aggression to our global partners.

Abducted children

One area where we must focus international attention is the kidnapping of children by Russia and Belarus. This must be stopped at any cost. The civilised world cannot remain silent about this vile and inhumane activity, and the involvement of global partners could play a decisive role in halting it.

The safe return of the thousands of Ukrainian children forcibly transferred to Russia, or territory it temporarily occupies, is an absolute priority. Punishment of those who have carried out these crimes is another. The documented evidence of this practice conforms with international definitions of genocide.

We often say that children are our future. With this crime, Russia seeks to weaponise a future generation of Ukrainians as an element in its strategy to erase the identity of a nation.

We have to mobilise pressure on Russia from all global partners to halt this crime. International society has to see clearly what Russia does to the most vulnerable.

After ‘Russian care’ camps, Ukrainian children are placed in Russian foster homes. Some are sent to military training. Youngsters just turned 18 are being forced to join Russia’s murderous war against their own homeland.

This is against all international laws and is completely unjustifiable.

The international community has to be more vocal in pushing for urgent action. Qatar’s involvement is one good example of how countries and organisations can help.

The Council of Europe is also working hard to ensure the Russian Federation’s full accountability for violations of human rights and international law, as well as for providing compensation to the victims of Russian aggression. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is among those organisations that have acted boldly in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

The Ukrainian government’s ‘Children of War’ platform has collected information on more than 19,546 children reported as deported or forcibly transferred from various locations. The real number of stolen children is much higher. Only 388 have returned home.

So many families across Ukraine are desperate to be reunited. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova are directly involved and must be held responsible for the deportations of Ukrainian children.

It is our duty and responsibility to punish the perpetrators and help the missing children of Ukraine return to their families.

The battle for justice

Another area where we need to make progress is the confiscation of frozen Russian assets and their redirection to cover Ukraine’s future needs. The amounts are significant but, even more importantly, this would show that democracies are capable of taking decisive, just and lawful action.

Using frozen or seized assets to fund Ukraine’s recovery programme would be a strategic step with a broad impact, sending a clear warning to other would-be aggressors. This year is the right time to take action.

On 24 February 2024 we mark the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

More than ever, it is vital that we reject talk of war fatigue. Without resolute action, we run the risk of more grim anniversaries in the years ahead. If, instead, we take the right decisions to provide Ukraine with the assistance it needs, we can look forward to commemorating anniversaries of a victory that would cement peace in Europe.

Clearly, this war is not just about supporting Ukraine’s fight for freedom. It is about supporting the values, alliances and structures set up to prevent a repeat of the 20^th century conflicts that started in Europe and spread their horrors around the world.

Today we are being challenged to safeguard those structures set up by earlier generations to underpin peace, freedom and democracy. It is our solemn responsibility to protect them.

This article is part of Friends of Europe’s Ukraine Initiative series, find out more here. The views expressed in this #CriticalThinking article reflect those of the author(s) and not of Friends of Europe.