On behalf of The Left group in the European Parliament, Co-Presidents Manon Aubry and Martin Schirdewan comment on the deployment of Russian troops in eastern Ukraine and President Putin’s recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions:

We condemn this clear violation of international law and Ukrainian borders. We warn against the consequences of any deployment of troops in the area. War must be avoided at all costs!

We ask the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, to call an exceptional meeting of the Conference of Presidents of the political group presidents to discuss this extremely tense situation. We fear a chain reaction that would have far-reaching catastrophic effects for all Europeans.

Enlargement of NATO is not the solution. It would further escalate into open conflict. Our priority must remain de-escalation. The main chance for peace lies in diplomacy. The delivery of weapons or the deployment of soldiers would be fatal. It is the responsibility of all EU governments not to drag the people of Europe into war.