As the LETA agency was informed at the President’s office, today in Weimar, Germany, Levits gave a lecture “Where is Europe going?” participated in the German Congress of Judges and Prosecutors.
In the lecture, Levits spoke about Europe’s global role, the events that influenced Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and how Europe and the entire democratic world should react to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The President emphasized the need to create an “ad hoc” international tribunal to try the crime of Russian aggression in Ukraine. “Russia’s aggressive war in Ukraine must be resolved in accordance with international law, so that it will also serve as a basic element of peace in the future,” said Levits.
The President stated that the argument that there has been no precedent for such a possible tribunal so far and therefore one should not be created is not acceptable. International law is constantly developing, and each new precedent is always a step forward compared to the previous situation – it should be the same this time, Levits emphasized.
It is the international community’s indifference to Russia’s previous invasions in Georgia in 2008 and in Crimea in 2014 that prompted Russia to invade Ukraine on a full scale. “Therefore, the worst thing we can do now is to do nothing,” said Levitt.
In the lecture, Levits assessed that the Western countries have learned from their mistakes regarding Russia and its ruling imperialist ideology. “Only a strong and united West can stand up to an aggressive autocratic regime,” Levitt said, reiterating that the West must help Ukraine in every possible way to win the war.
The President also emphasized the need to strengthen the rule of law in Europe, which is a necessary prerequisite for the unity of the region. Levitt also noted that it is necessary to strengthen European sovereignty in the military, technological and manufacturing sectors in order to reduce the influence of other countries and powers on the European economy and security situation.
Levits explained that European security depends, firstly, on Ukraine’s victory in the war and, secondly, on NATO’s ability and determination to protect its territory. Therefore, investment in defense means investment in peace, the President pointed out.