“Croatia is on the right side of history, on the right side of values, on the right side of international law, on the right side of humanity. It’s very important that at this moment such a clear message prevails also in the Croatian public,” he told the press.
Plenković said that he, the cabinet and his HDZ party had a “consistent line” on this issue, adding “not everyone has been… so clear.”
“We see that we were right the whole time, while some others were wrong. It’s very important that this be viewed in the political context… Things should be viewed a little more clearly, with a little more perspective and experience. Not everyone sees that.”
Plenković was likely referring to President Zoran Milanović’s calling him “an Ukrainian agent.”
He said that at the moment Croatian-Russian relations, “to put it mildly,” were not good.
As for the impact of the sanctions against Russia on energy supply, Plenković said Croatia’s gas supply was not in jeopardy as it does not depend on import from Russia like other EU member states because it built an LNG terminal in the northern Adriatic.
He reiterated that Russia carried out a “cold, brutal invasion” of Ukraine which has “huge repercussions on the foundations of the international order.”
“Like other countries, we have to make decisions so as to oppose such behaviour which is not only totally unprovoked, but violates every foundation of the security order in Europe as well as the world.”
Plenković said the government would set up a task force for the reception of Ukrainian refugees.
He added that between 35 and 60 Croatian nationals are currently in Ukraine.
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