Statement by the Permanent Representative of Estonia, Ambassador Sven Jürgenson.
Mr. President,
First, let me say, we acknowledge Russian representatives for calling this briefing today, when we have witnessed yet another attack in Lugansk oblast by Russian supported armed formations. The weapons prohibitied by Minsk Agreement were used, leading to casualities.
It is a grave violation of the Minsk agreements and an unfortunate display of Russia disregarding its recommitment to the ceasefire during the Paris meeting. However, let us not forget, this is only a chapter in this ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine, that has continued for the past 6 years.
I am also grateful to Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for her important and comprehensive briefing, and also Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Ms. Heidi Grau, as well as OSCE SMM Chief Monitor Mr. Halit Cevik, for their updates of the activities on the ground.
After 6 years of the beginning of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, we regret that Russia has not acknowledged and reversed her actions. Estonia reconfirms its 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 and certain territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine. The use of force against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine by the Russian Federation clearly violates the fundamental principles of international law. It violates Article 2 paragraph 4 of the UN Charter as well as the Helsinki Final Act.
The Minsk Agreements remain the basis for a political resolution to the conflict in Donbas. The Russian Federation, however, keeps breaching it on a regular basis since their adoption as we have also witnessed today. Particularly, the first point of it – to end the interference and ensure a comprehensive cease-fire. This has left more than 27 000 people wounded and over 14 000 people killed, including the 298 passengers of flight MH17, which was shot down by Russan BUK missile system.
Moreover, Russia’s initiatives such as: conducting illegal elections, conscripting Ukrainian citizens to the Russian army and pursuing the illegal passportization of Ukrainian citizens – all run counter to the spirit of the Minsk agreements, which further obstruct the settlement in Donbas. Let me remind there is a 400-km long uncontrolled border between Ukraine and Russia. This uncontrolled section is a gateway for a free flows of weaponry and military personnel. Russia’s actions in Ukraine pose numerous threats to international peace and security.
Therefore we call on Russia, as a party to the conflict, to fully implement the commitments of the Minsk Agreements, including those undertaken at the Normandy Four Summit in Paris on the 9th of December. We also call on Russia to immediately withdraw its armed forces from Ukraine and stop its political, financial and military support to the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk that is, Russia’s Proxies in Donbas.
We commend President Zelensky for his strong efforts towards resolving and de-escalating the conflict in Donbas 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 would like to thank the OSCE, including the Secial Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office and the Special Monitoring Mission for all their indispensable work in Ukraine. The SMM remains the most reliable source of information of the situation on the ground in Ukraine. It is therefore regrettable, that the restrictions posed on the SMM’s freedom of movement have persisted in non-government-controlled areas, hindering the Mission from fully implementing its mandate.
SMM’s full, secure and unimpeded access to the entire territory of Ukraine should be guaranteed. Recently we heard in the SC about the OSCE’s efforts and the restrictions to the work of the SMM directly from the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Prime Minister Edi Rama. He mentioned, the idea of a UN Peacekeeping Mission to Ukraine that would monitor the Russian-Ukrainian border and provide safe environment and restoration of sovereignty of Ukraine.
However, in March 2015, Ukraine’s request for the Security Council to deploy a peacekeeping operation under the UN auspices was blocked by the Russian Federation, which was yet another example of the sheer reluctance to make any steps towards the solution of the conflict.
We remain deeply concerned over the grave humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine. About 3,4 million Ukrainians still need humanitarian assistance and protection. Additionally to the psychological traumas and the lack of access to basic services, about 2 million people live in areas highly contaminated by landmines. Despite aid efforts, the 2019 humanitarian appeal remained only 50% funded. I call on the international community to intensify its financial support for Ukraine. International human rights law also continues to be violated on civil, political, economic, social, cultural and religious fields in the occupied areas.
Violations are targeted towards persons belonging to any minority, group or organization that dissents from the views of the government of the Russian Federation – mostly Ukrainian activists, Crimean Tatars and LGBTI persons. According to the recent report of the Secretary General on Crimea, arbitrary arrests, house raids, groundless detentions, harassments, intimidations, unfair trials, degrading treatment of detainees, torture, sexual violence and other violations continue in a systematic and unpunished manner.
These violations must stop immediately – all persons detained illegally must be released and international human rights monitoring mechanisms, including the Red Cross, and non-governmental organizations must be given access to the annexed and occupied territories.
Thank you!
Full briefing: http://webtv.un.org/live/watch/ukraine-security-council-8726th-meeting/6133641716001/?term=