russia adoption

Speech
by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii DESHCHYTSYA
at the German Council on Foreign Relation
“The crisis in Ukraine as a European and Global Dilemma”
Berlin, May 20th 2014
Dear Graf Lambsdorf,
Dear Mr. Boehlke,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Out of respect to the high level of expertise of this esteemed audience I will refrain
from repeating common knowledge regarding the roles of Ukraine and Russia in this conflict.
Everyone is well aware of who the aggressor is and which the affected country is.
Let me address right away an issue of paramount importance for my nation, for the
European Union and for the whole civilized world – the issue of Russian aggression against
Ukraine.
Over the last three months we have been witnessing one of the most serious threats
to regional, European and global security since the end of the Cold war.
After two weeks of blatant occupation an integral part of Ukraine – the Autonomous
Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol - was forcibly and illegally annexed by a state
that previously committed itself to guaranteeing the independence, sovereignty and
territorial integrity of my country in accordance with the Budapest Memorandum.
Those actions by the Russian Federation constituted and continue to constitute a
flagrant breach of imperative norms of international law, the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final
Act, bilateral and multilateral agreements which guarantee Ukraine’s territorial integrity,
inviolability of borders and non-intervention in its internal affairs.
This aggression was meticulously calibrated to strike at the time when a new and
inclusive Government was formed after the Revolution of Dignity. The Government that
genuinely committed itself to European integration and implementation of a broad range of
democratic reforms.
I have no doubt that truth is on our side and that justice will prevail – not least because
of strong international support.
If there is any barometer of such a backing, it is the United Nations.
Let me remind you that more than a dozen rounds of urgent discussions on Russian
military intervention in Ukraine held by the UN Security Council clearly demonstrated how
isolated Russia is in the world on this issue. The mixture of concocted justifications, halftruths, deliberate distortions, insults and naked lies offered by the Russian side failed to
impress the wide international community.
Yet a clear verdict to the Russian Federation as well as testimony of its desperate
isolation in the world came with the adoption by the General Assembly on 27 March of the
resolution “Territorial integrity of Ukraine”, which was passed by a 100-strong majority
against 11 “nos”, including from Russia.
By the adoption of this resolution the General Assembly reaffirmed its commitment
to the sovereignty, political independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its
internationally recognized borders and called not to recognize any alterations of the status
of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol as a result of the illegal
referendum.
The Russian Federation has been sent a clear message regarding the unacceptability
of actions aimed at partial or complete disruption of the national unity and territorial
integrity of Ukraine, including of any attempts to alter the borders of our state through the
threat or use of force or any other unlawful means.
This position has been echoed in the decisions of other international organizations,
including the Council of Europe. The Committee of Ministers on several occasions stressed
that the illegal referendum held in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of
Sevastopol on 16 March 2014 and the subsequent illegal annexation by the Russian
Federation cannot form the basis for any alteration of the status of the Autonomous Republic
of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. I wish also to recall that in response to the aggressive
actions by the Russian Federation against Ukraine the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe deprived the Russian delegation of voting rights.
Unfortunately Russia did not heed calls from the international community and
unfolded a second phase of its aggression against my country – through inciting and actively
supporting separatism, terrorism and extremism in Eastern and Southern Ukraine.
A glimmer of hope appeared after the participants of the Geneva meeting, Ukraine,
the US, EU and Russia, agreed on initial concrete steps to de-escalate tensions around
Ukraine and restore security for all citizens.
On our part we started to implement the Geneva Statement right away. In a show of
good will the Government suspended an active phase of the antiterrorist operation that was
carried out to restore law and order and to protect civilians from terrorists. The draft law on
release from responsibility for participants in the riots in the eastern regions was sent to the
Parliament. The current parliamentary majority suggested that all parties represented at
Ukraine’s parliament sign an MoU on resolving the situation in the east of the country. The
Cabinet of Ministers approved the Concept of the Reform of Local Self-Government and
Territorial Organization of Powers of Ukraine, aimed at giving more powers to the regions.
Vacation of administration buildings and streets by protestors started in the capital.
These are just some examples of Ukraine’s tangible actions aimed at implementation
of the Geneva Statement.
Russia has not only ignored its commitments under the Geneva Memorandum but has
even doubled its efforts at causing deterioration of the situation in the South-East of Ukraine.
Moscow continues to support and coordinate the terrorist groups operating in the Eastern
regions of Ukraine, with Russian agents at their core, which endanger civilians, seize hostages
and create an atmosphere of terror and violence.
Witnessing further deterioration of the situation and the spread of terrorism activities
our security services resumed the conduct of the anti-terrorist operation. Our personnel
involved in the CTO exercise extreme caution in their actions to prevent any harm to the
civilian population, while terrorists, being true to their name, do not feel any qualms about
using civilians as a shield and firing at Ukraine’s servicemen from the middle of densely
populated residential areas.
The circumstances surrounding the recent liberation of the OSCE monitors in
Slovyansk prove that only the Russian Federation has influence over terrorist groups acting
in Eastern Ukraine.
Being committed to finding a peaceful resolution to the existing crisis situation and
striving to ensure that the legitimate concerns of all Ukrainian citizens are heard and
addressed, the Government initiated a country-wide dialogue of national unity. The first two
round-tables have already been held (in Kyiv on 14 May and in Kharkiv on 17 May). The third
event will be held tomorrow in Mykolaiv. The geography of the round tables demonstrates
that their primary audience is the people in the regions.
These round tables will address such topics as constitutional reform, decentralization,
local self-government, national minorities, balance of powers including judicial reform and
state-society relations. Other issues can be raised by the participants as well.
The process is being chaired by two of Ukraine’s former presidents, who are assisted
in this work by the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairmanship, Ambassador Wolfgang
Ischinger. In this regard I would like to thank the German side for seconding such an
experienced and distinguished diplomat as Ambassador Ischinger to support the national
dialogue initiative in Ukraine.
The national dialogue will be conducted on the principles of inclusiveness and wide
representation of those willing to participate.
It is open to political parties, both from the national and the regional level, local
authorities, civil society and academia. Here we have to be absolutely clear that participation
of all interested parties is welcome but there can be no seat at the table for those who use
terrorist tactics and spread violence. The Government is ready to engage with those who
have not committed capital crimes and will lay down their illegally held weapons.
The recommendations of the National Dialogue will be presented to the Verkhovna
Rada, Cabinet of Ministers, local authorities and leaders of the civil society as appropriate.
Such recommendations shall be considered by those to whom they are addressed with the
view of their practical implementation, including but not only by submitting draft legislation,
improving implementation of already existing laws and norms, developing further initiatives
to facilitate reforms and strengthen good governance.
Summing up I would like to underline that we are committed to peaceful resolution
of the crisis around Ukraine based on 3 important prerequisites:
- immediate de-escalation of conflict in Eastern and Southern Ukraine;
- successful implementation of the all-inclusive National Dialogue;
- creation of secure conditions for holding of free and fair Presidential elections on 25 May
under the presence of an unprecedented number of international observers.
It is also crucial to emphasize that the Ukrainian government is keen to have good
neighborly relations with the Russian Federation. It is a rational, pragmatic and balanced
approach you would expect from every actor in international relations in the 21st century.
We are ready to live shoulder to shoulder, as equal partners, as good neighbors, as people
united by common history and common European values.
However, it takes two to tango. Partnership is always based on respect of each other’s
freedom and rights. The Ukrainian government has not and will not breach these relations.
But we are committed to defending our sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Ukraine’s paramount interest is to have a democratic and modernized neighbor at its
Northern and Eastern border. As the rest of the world community, we aspire to help Russia
to become a law-abiding and respected member of international relations.
It is very emblematic that on the same day, May 25, EU-citizens and Ukrainians will
vote. I hope Ukrainians will vote for their European future, and our eurointegration process
will remain unhindered. Once our political choice is made, we will persevere in our efforts to
build Europe in Ukraine – through reforms and inclusive political dialogue. Signing the 2nd
part of the Association Agreement will mark an important chapter in Ukraine-EU relations.
Thank you for your attention and I am ready to answer your questions.