Stockholm, March 4 (Agency) The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBCC) suspended Russia from participation due to Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine, foreign ministers of member-states said in a statement published on Friday. Latvian Foreign Ministry said, “We, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the High Representative strongly condemn Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine. Nothing can justify Russia’s illegal use of force.
We must now draw the necessary conclusions. “We see no possibility to continue our cooperation as envisaged with the Russian Federation within the framework of the CBSS. In the current circumstances Russia should not enjoy the benefits of, and participation in, any CBSS-led cooperation. “We will ensure the suspension of Russia from the proceedings, work and projects of the CBSS and its working bodies until cooperation under the fundamental principles of international law has become possible again.” Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy demanded the immediate strengthening of sanctions against Russia and the closure of the Ukrainian airspace. “We need an immediate strengthening of sanctions against a nuclear terrorist country. We need an immediate closure of the sky over Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said in a video message, Zelenskyy also claimed that almost the entire Russian army is waging war against Ukraine.