The Delegation of Ukraine delivered a statement on “Russia’s on-going aggression against Ukraine and illegal occupation of Crimea” to the 1120th meeting of the Permanent Council on 24 November 2016.

“Last Monday Ukraine marked the Day of Dignity and Freedom, commemorating the third anniversary since the nationwide movement in support of the democratic values and against dictatorship started. It has been the resolute choice of Ukrainians to build a prosperous and rule of law based European state, where human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully respected,” the statement reads.

“One could hardly anticipate that Russia’s response to democratic aspirations of Ukrainians would be putting into action its plans of multifaceted aggression against the neighbouring State. Illegal occupation of Ukraine’s Crimea and Sevastopol and bloody conflict in Donbas were a result of Russia’s military intervention and its expansionist claims for the entire south-east of Ukraine. Russia chose to deal a destructive blow to the vision of Europe whole, free and at peace”, contains the document.

“So far the OSCE fundamental principles, in particular those on respect to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of frontiers, continue to be grossly violated by the Russian Federation,” contained in the statement as well as a call to the international community to demonstrate firmness and unity to stop these violations and their further aggravation.

“We urge Russia to return to the tenets of the international law, to halt its aggression against Ukraine and contribute constructively to the peaceful resolution in Donbas by implementing fully and in good face its commitments under the Minsk agreements. We urge Russia to reverse the illegal occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol,” reads the statement.

See full text of the Statement