After a long pause in
the Ukraine-Russia relations caused by the Russian aggression there has been
established a contact on a high level.
The Foreign Ministers Deshchytsia and Lavrov met on the
sidelines of the Hague Summit.
It’s a positive move,
but not yet a path to normalization.
No normalization is
possible as long as Ukrainian territory remains occupied.
But it’s a path to
avoid further expansion of conflict and bloodshed.
We used the meeting to
state our clear position.
I hope Mr. Lavrov will have a saying in this conflict on the Russian
side – and not only Kalashnikov.
We see that the
international pressure is growing.
The world leaders have
decided to end Russia’s
role in the group of leading industrialized nations.
The sanctions expand. Russia’s
economic outlook with the Fitch agency got downgraded. I’m sure: it’s just the
beginning – unless Russian leadership comes to its senses.
The IMF mission in Ukraine
is completing its work today. As I understand, the meetings they had in
Ukrainian ministries were rather satisfying. Both sides are result-oriented.
This means that the reforms promised by this government are shaping more and
more vividly on the horizon.
The situation on the
ground in Crimea remains complicated. Under Ukraine’s Security Council decision our troops
based in the Crimea will be redeployed.
People in the Crimea are beaten and tortured. Russian militants abduct
people. They take away Ukrainian property. This, once again, shows that
international pressure on Moscow
is needed now more than ever.
Another worrisome
tendency – the Russian troops keep coming to Ukraine’s borders. They claim to
have ended military exercises – but soldiers don’t withdraw to their
headquarters.
We are ready to defend
Ukraine.
In fulfilling this task – we count on the world’s support. We are active within
the United Nations and other international bodies.
Despite Russia’s
efforts, we enjoy a broad support within international community of the
nations. And we plan to expand it.
