Escobar: Strength is our union! Putin chose war

We join the international call for all countries, and especially those in Europe, to uphold international law and unequivocally reject Russia’s illegal occupation of its neighbor, Ukraine. The countries of the Western Balkans have heard this call. I congratulate them on their stand by the European Union and the free world.

We must hold Russia accountable and help Ukraine repel the invading forces before the atrocities multiply and the conflict further destabilizes Europe. Coordinated actions by allies and partners have rapidly increased pressure on Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian forces are slowing down the occupation and are causing significant casualties among Russian forces. Our sanctions have disconnected Russia from the world financial system and the Russian economy has begun to explode.

Putin’s aggression against Ukraine will cost Russia dearly, both economically and strategically. The Russian people deserve more from their government than the enormous cost that this invasion has caused for their future. But when the history of this era is written, it will show that Putin’s choice to launch an unprovoked, unjust, and premeditated attack left the West more united and Russia increasingly weak.

The people of this region are well aware of the carnage caused by the conflict. We must not allow Russia to use the war it has chosen to wage to curb the progress of the Western Balkan countries. Russia does not have in mind the best interests of these countries. Your economies are connected to Europe. Your largest trading partners and investors are in the European Union. And your future is in Europe, as full members of the European Union.

There is still a lot of work to be done here in the Western Balkans. Work for economic integration of the region. Work to find a lasting compromise and lasting solutions to unresolved disputes. Let us use this crisis to ensure that future generations here in the Western Balkans live in countries fully integrated into the European Union, in a full, free and peaceful Europe.

The United States wants to be your partner in these efforts. We must use this example to redouble our efforts to reach a compromise agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, and to stop actions that threaten stability and progress in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Freedom, democracy and human dignity are far more powerful forces than fear and oppression. In the race between democracy and autocracy, between sovereignty and submission, have no doubt: freedom will prevail. Europe and the Western Balkans will emerge even stronger.

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