Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders in The Bahamas on Friday in a closed-door session as they continue with the 44th annual summit that ends later today.
The details of his virtual address have not been made public, but as he has done in his address to other foreign leaders, the Ukrainian leader was expected to seek support from the 15-member regional grouping for his Eastern European country in its ongoing war with Russia.
CARICOM had in February last year, issued a statement strongly condemning the military attacks and invasion of Ukraine by Russia and called “for the immediate and complete withdrawal of the military presence and cessation of any further actions that may intensify the current perilous situation in that country.
“The recognition by The Russian Federation of the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk represents a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine,” CARICOM said, noting that “the hostilities against Ukraine go counter to the principles of respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of another sovereign state and the prohibition on the threat or use of force, and the peaceful resolution of disputes, which are the bedrock of this Community”.
The 15-member regional integration grouping called on all parties involved “to urgently embark on intensified diplomatic dialogue to immediately de-escalate hostilities and work towards a sustainable peace”.
CMC