FSM cuts diplomatic ties with Russia for ‘brutal’ invasion of Ukraine

PALIKIR, Pohnpei—The Federated States of Micronesia has severed diplomatic relations with the Russia following its “violent and unjustifiable invasion” of Ukraine.

FSM conveyed to the Russian Federation its decision to cut diplomatic relations between the two countries last Feb. 25, 2022, saying that FSM will only entertain renewing diplomatic relations “when the [Russian Federation] demonstrates actionable commitments to peace, friendship, cooperation, and love in our common humanity.”

“The people and government of the FSM stand in solidarity with the people and government of Ukraine, a country that, like ours, embraces democracy and democratic principles, and the rule of law. The FSM, with great sympathy to the people and government of Ukraine, recognizes that Ukraine has been violently and unjustifiably invaded by the Russian Federation,” said FSM president David W. Panuelo in a statement. “To the people and government of Ukraine: while it may be little comfort, the people and government of the FSM supports your sovereignty, and supports your right to exist, including your right to exist in peace and harmony with your neighbors.”

Panuelo

“To the people of the Russian Federation: the FSM continues to extend to you peace, friendship, cooperation, and love in our common humanity, which we extend to all peoples and nations on this shared planet of ours. The people and government of the FSM have no animosity toward the People of the Russian Federation,” Panuelo added. “The same can only be said of the government of the Russian Federation, however, once they recognize that choosing war instead of peace, violence instead of friendship, betrayal instead of cooperation, and hatred instead of love, is both unsustainable and unjustified. The FSM condemns the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine and the unjustified and brutal assault on its people and territory, which our country recognizes as unambiguously villainous and holds in the highest form of contempt. The FSM condemns the government of Russia for their invasion into the sovereign territory of Ukraine, and the hardship placed upon Ukraine’s people. The FSM condemns any actions which threaten global peace and stability and the rules-based international order.

“It is often described that the preference of any Pacific Island country, to include the FSM, is that we be friends to all, and enemies to none,” Panuelo said. “This indeed and truly remains the cornerstone of our nation’s foreign policy. But values and convictions must matter more than not at all, and as this Paradise in Our Backyards is founded on our Micronesian ideals of peace, unity, and liberty, so too do we advocate for these ideals to be shared and spread.” (PR/SaipanTribune)