UNGA 74,
Statement at the General Assembly on the Situation in the situation temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine,
Delivered by H.E. Mr. Lembit Uibo, Political Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia on behalf of the NB8 countries at the General Assembly,
February 20, New York
Today I have the honour to speak on behalf of the eight Nordic-Baltic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and my own country Estonia.
We would like to begin by thanking the President of the General Assembly for convening this debate on such a timely and urgent issue – as we know the situation in eastern Ukraine and Crimea remains of great concern.
Today, as we mark the 6th year since the tragic events in Maidan and beginning of the Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the Nordic-Baltic countries reconfirm their strong support to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, including territorial waters. We condemn the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by Russia and are committed to implement the EU’s non-recognition policy, including restrictive measures. We urge the Russian Federation to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine as stated in the UNGA resolution 68/262.
Mister President,
Respect for territorial integrity and the prohibition of the use of force are fundamental principles of international law. These two principles are clearly stated in Article 2 paragraph 4 of the UN Charter as well as in the Helsinki Final Act. By the use of force against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, Russia is clearly in violation of these fundamental principles of international law. The General Assembly has since 2014 adopted the resolutions reiterating its support to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, addressing grave human rights situation in Crimea, expressing concern about militarization of Crimea, and the growing instability with regard to the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The Nordic-Baltic countries call on the Russian Federation to implement these resolutions as well as other relevant decisions of the United Nations.
Mister President,
The situation in eastern Ukraine poses a threat to international peace and security. We deplore the military escalation and offensive attempts near Zolote, as reported on Tuesday, as they go against the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and show a lack of commitment to the implementation of the Minsk agreements and the measures agreed at the Normandy Summit in Paris. We urge the Russian Federation to fully respect its commitments and to exert its considerable influence over the armed formations it backs to ensure that the ceasefire be fully implemented.
The full implementation of Minsk Agreements and political dialogue remain the basis for solving the conflict and we stress Russia’s role and responsibility in this regard. We thank Ukraine for initiatives and bold actions that have brought positive steps such as the exchange of prisoners, the proposal of disengaging the forces in three areas and the reconstruction of the bridge in Stanytsia Luhanska. We welcome the measures of the Normandy Summit in Paris on the 9th of December and call for their implementation. We hope that the next Summit will bring more positive news and breakthroughs. We give our support to Germany and France in their efforts as well as to OSCE and Trilateral Contact Group.
Mister President,
At the same time, we regret that a 400-km uncontrolled section of the Ukrainian-Russian state border remains free to flows of Russian weaponry and personnel to Donbas. We also regret constant impediments to the work of the SMM, particularly in non-government-controlled areas, and we stress the importance of full, secure and unimpeded access for the SMM to the entire territory of Ukraine. We thank the OSCE, including the SMM, for all their indispensable work in Ukraine. Russia’s initiative last year to start issuing its passports under a simplified procedure to the residents of Donbas runs clearly counter to the spirit and letter of the Minsk agreements and prospects of resolving the conflict. We call on the Russian Federation to implement its commitments under the Minsk agreements, withdraw its armed forces from Ukraine and stop its political, financial and military support to the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk. Full respect for the territorial integrity of Ukraine is the only way to restoring regional security.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We remain deeply concerned about the grave humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine. Estimated 14 000 people, of which over 3 300 are civilians, have been killed and over 30 000 wounded in the conflict. Around 2 million people live in areas highly contaminated by landmines. 3,4 million Ukrainians still need humanitarian assistance and protection. In order to improve the situation, we call for safe, rapid and unhindered of humanitarian assistance to the region. The international community needs to keep Ukraine high on the agenda and intensify our financial support for the humanitarian response in eastern Ukraine.
We anticipate that the Ukraine Reform Conference in Vilnius on July 7 this year will present an opportunity for the international community to reconfirm strong political support for Ukraine on crucial reform process, necessary for improving the living conditions of its citizens and enhancing resilience of the society.
Mister President,
We are deeply concerned about the increasing militarization of the Crimean peninsula by Russia. Since the illegal annexation, Russia has more than doubled its military forces and increased weaponry in the peninsula. The militarization of Crimea has also increased instability in the wider Black Sea region as well as in Azov Sea. The delays caused by the inspection regime imposed on Ukrainian and third countries’ vessels at the Kerch Strait severely restrict free navigation and negative consequences for the Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov, which have already suffered economically since the beginning of conflict.
Furthermore, the human rights situation in Crimea continues to be of utmost concern. Residents of the Crimean peninsula continue to face systematic restrictions of their human rights and fundamental freedoms, such as of the freedom of expression and association, the right to peaceful assembly and the freedom of religion or belief. According to the recent report of the Secretary General concerning Crimea, the rights to freedom of assembly and association of LGBTI people have also been denied. The activities of the Mejlis, a representative body of the Crimean Tatar People, remain banned in Crimea, despite the order of the International Court of Justice delivered on 19 April 2017.
We call on the Russian Federation to stop these violations, mostly targeting Crimean Tatars and Ukrainian activists, and immediately release all political prisoners that have been illegally detained in Crimea. We also reiterate that the regional and international human rights monitoring mechanisms as well as the human rights organisations must have unimpeded access to Crimea.
Mister President, ladies and gentlemen,
To conclude, the Nordic-Baltic countries are convinced that the respect of international law and a rules-based world order are fundamental for our common security. We call on Russia to abide by the international law. Maintaining pressure on Russia by the international community is essential until Ukraine’s sovereignty is fully restored and secured under international law. The Nordic-Baltic countries remain steadfast in their support for Ukraine and its people.
Thank you