Epress.am News from Armenia
The intervention on Ukraine's territory by Vladimir Putin's regime is a challenge to the international community and global security and a gross violation of international law, reads a statement issued by the group Armenian Committee in Solidarity with Maidan.
"These actions are reminiscent of shameful episodes in Europe's history: the annexation of Czechoslovakia and the Anschluss of Austria by Hitler in 1938.
"The current situation in Ukraine would be different if in 2008, the diplomatic efforts of the international community were based on effective security assurances to Georgia and an adequate counterattack was delivered to the Kremlin.
"In today's crisis situation, it is the duty of all democratic forces to save free Ukraine from aggressors and curb Moscow's imperial ambitions.
"We hope that Ukraine, fighting for freedom, has awoken the community of the civilized world, freeing it from illusions of a possible 'voluntary transformation' of criminal-oligarchic authorities who are guided by the principles of systemic corruption, proving that such regimes easily abandon international commitments and make deals with the Kremlin […]
"We condemn the undignified silence of Armenia's authorities regarding Russia's aggression against the Ukraine.
"We urge international organizations, all countries, and, first and foremost, the US and the European Union
– to prevent the escalation of violence and protect the free choice, sovereignty, and unity of Ukraine, according to the commitments of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum;
– to stop the aggressor with equivalent and coordinated actions and a common position, and immediately begin the process of excluding Russia from the G8 and the Council of Europe;
– to all people of good will, start a universal boycott against the Russian authorities and organize protest demonstrations outside Russian embassies [around the world]; and
– Apply tough sanctions against the key figures of Putin's regime and their entourage, depriving them of entry visas, freezing their bank accounts, and starting an investigation to determine the legality of the companies and businesses that belong to them," reads the statement.
The Armenian Committee in Solidarity with Maidan are
Gayane Arustamyan (Yerevan, Armenia)
Karine Afrikyan (Los Angeles, US)
Levon Barseghyan (Gyumri, Armenia)
Heghine Gabrielyan (Paris, France)
Boris Yeghiazaryan (Kiev, Ukraine)
Ruben Mehrabyan (Yerevan, Armenia)
Mushegh Mkrtchyan (Brussels, Belgium)
Boris Navasardian (Yerevan, Armenia)
Zaruhi Hovhannesyan (Yerevan, Armenia)
Rudik Hovsepyan (Los Angeles, US)
Artur Sakunts (Vanadzor, Armenia)
David Shahnazaryan (Yerevan, Armenia)