YouSaid · the spoken record

Yelchenko

lines on the record: 1,640
first: 1997-12-19
most recent: 2019-07-16
sittings or episodes: 226
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“We would like to express our gratitude to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Nicholas Haysom, for his extensive briefing and for his team's efforts in Afghanistan. We welcome the unanimous adoption of the resolution 2274 (2016), extending the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for a year, and we thank the delegation of Spain for a job well done. Ukraine aligns itself with the statement to be delivered shortly by the observer of the European Union (EU). Ukraine is persuaded that robust peace can be established in Afghanistan and that the only path to that result is through a broad-based national reconciliation.”
2016-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7645 (2016) · source
“Our collective decision today is a historic step which clearly demonstrates the Council's consolidated and firm stance to respond decisively and eradicate any threat to the global non-proliferation regime. Ukraine is honoured to co-sponsor the resolution, which, as we all hope, will become one ofthe defining documents in putting an end to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's illegal activities in defiance of every international law principle.”
2016-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7638 (2016) · source
“We consider the resolution just adopted to be a comprehensive and balanced document that, on the one hand, strengthens the existing regime and reinforces it with additional sectoral and targeted sanctions and, on the other, clearly demonstrates the Council's openness to dialogue on peaceful and diplomatic solutions to the situation. Such an approach fully corresponds to the Council's intention to avoid both affecting the humanitarian situation in North Korea and aggravating tensions on the peninsula. Moreover, the document reflects the findings contained in the reports of the Panel of Experts established pursuant to resolution 1874 (2009), which in our opinion only strengthens the rationale behind new sanctions. Ukraine has always been committed to effective multilateral action against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.”
2016-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7638 (2016) · source
“Let me begin by warmly congratulating you, Mr. President, on Angola's assumption of the presidency for this month and also by expressing our deep appreciation to Ambassador Ramirez Carrefio for his leadership during the month of February. At the outset, I would like to commend the efforts of both the United States and China in drafting and putting on the table the text of resolution 2270 (2016) in response to the recent nuclear test and rocket launch of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. We appreciate the convening of the expert-level meetings on 25 and 26 February by the delegation of the United States, so that each Council member had an opportunity to raise any questions related to the resolution and its annexes.”
2016-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7638 (2016) · source
“We also commend the initiatives by business leaders within the Chamber of Commerce in both Belgrad and Pristina to put aside political problems and to build new cooperation within the business community.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7637 (2016) · source
“Secondly, Ukraine welcomes the agreement on the establishment of the association of Serb majority municipalities in Kosovo and supports the commitment by the Kosovo institutions to continue this process. This agreement is an important mechanism for further stabilization; delaying its implementation would be a step in the wrong direction and would erode the mutual trust that is necessary in any dialogue process. Thirdly, Ukraine commends the establishment of the specialist court and the agreement of the Government of the Netherlands announced on 15 January to host that institution in The Hague. Fourthly, we fully share the view of the Secretary- General that it is important to continue the progress made in the integration into Kosovo of institutions of former Serbian civil protection personnel.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7637 (2016) · source
“First, Ukraine welcomes the continuation of the negotiation process between Belgrade and Pristina and the achieved agreements under the auspices of the European Union last year. We welcome the signing and ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement between the European Union and Kosovo and support its European integration. At the same time, we are deeply concerned about the latest acts of violence by Kosovo opposition parties. Those actions have a negative impact not only on the security situation in Kosovo, but also on the whole process of implementation of the package of the Belgrade-Pristina agreements. Such actions are unacceptable, and we call on all political actors in Kosovo to abstain from all forms of violence. We reiterate the calls for respect for the rule of law, democratic procedures and international norms.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7637 (2016) · source
“We also commend the UNMIK partners on the ground, including the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Kosovo Force and the European Union Rule of Law Mission and the European Union for their cooperation and continuing contributions to peace and progress in Kosovo. Ukraine takes note ofthe latest report (S/2016/99) of the Secretary-General on UNMIK, submitted pursuant to resolution 1244 (1999). We agree with the Secretary- General's analysis and observations on the situation in Kosovo and urge all related parties to take measures to stabilize the situation and reach the necessary consensus on the implementation of previously reached agreements. I would like to focus on four main points that we consider important for further stabilization.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7637 (2016) · source
“I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Kosovo and Head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), Mr. Zahir Tanin, for his briefing. I also thank Mr. Ivica Dacie and Ms. Vlora Citaku for their statements. Like my Japanese colleague, I have my own memories of Pristina. I had the privilege to visit it 16 years ago as a member ofa Security Council delegation. Since then the Security Council and UNMIK have continued to play an important role in supporting Kosovo's institutions to tackle the many challenges that lie ahead. Ukraine strongly supports the work of Mr. Tanin and UNMIK in promoting security, stability and respect for human rights in Kosovo and in the region, as well as in its constructive engagement with Pristina and Belgrade.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7637 (2016) · source
“That army is financed, equipped and maintained by Russia and commanded by Russian officers. It has been supplied with sophisticated modern Russian weaponry. I have a very long list of weapons that are not and were never produced in Ukraine. Those weapons did not just fall from the sky. And the list goes on and on. Therefore, let us be more precise when we react to facts or allegations.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“I will not make a long statement again, because I said what I said. It is probably very easy for my Russian colleague to pick a few parts of my statement and react to them. Consequently, my question is: Why does he not react to everything I said? Why does he not react to the figures, to my call for the release of the political prisoners who are being held in Russia? It is a fact, which has been proven by many, that Russia has fulfilled none of its obligations under the Minsk agreements. Let us talk about everything in the Minsk agreements, not only about the constitutional amendments and the elections. They are not the topic ofthis meeting, after all, so I will not go into detail. Finally, during two years of aggression, a 40,000-strong army has been built up in the Donbas.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“Finally, allow me to express our deepest appreciation to all colleagues around the table who spoke strongly today in favour of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of my country. That is an exremely powerful message for those back home who stand fighting for it.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“The united international response to Russia's illegal actions was delivered here in New York on 27 March 2014, when the General Assembly adopted its resolution 68/262, entitled "Territorial integrity of Ukraine". Echoed by other organizations and States across the globe, the strong international condemnation proves that the issue of the illegally occupied peninsula is firmly on the agenda, whatever Russia claims. I am absolutely convinced that an international framework to address the Crimean case will be established sooner or later, as that is the only way to guarantee the full relevance of international law. Restoring respect for the fundamental norms and principles of our peaceful coexistence and cooperation and seeking their proper implementation are in the interests of both the United Nations and the OSCE.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“The release of all hostages and illegally detained persons, including Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia, will be a crucial benchmark for assessing Russia's readiness to embark on the de-escalation path. It is one of the few provisions of the Minsk agreement that contains a very specific timeframe, for apparent humanitarian reasons, that is, within five days of the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the contact line. About two years ago Russia launched its aggression against Ukraine in Crimea, trampling fundamental international norms and principles, including those enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the Helsinki Final Act.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“While our invitation to deploy a United Nations international peacekeeping operation remains on the table, enhancing the OSCE capacities on the ground and reinforcing them with a special police mission under the auspices of the OSCE could become an effective tool in bringing peace to Donbas. It is evident that the uncontrolled segment of the Ukrainian-Russian border makes the impact of all international efforts on de-escalation very limited, as replenishments to the illegal armed groups with weapons and manpower from Russia continue. As an agreed initial step until Ukrainian border guards resume control at the border, permanent monitoring and verification by the OSCE along all border sections of concern from both sides ofthe border should be ensured, as stipulated by the Minsk protocol of September 2014, also signed by Russia.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“As progress on the security track is long overdue, we need to take decisive steps to establish the security conditions necessary for a peaceful settlement in Donbas. What is required is a genuine disengagement line rather than a contact line, with weapons effectively withdrawn, armed provocations by militants rendered impossible and an enhanced international presence capable of ensuring security on the ground, in addition to the monitoring and verification functions that the OSCE's Special Monitoring Mission currently performs. We welcome the recent extension of the mandate of the Special Monitoring Mission to Urkaine upon Ukraine's request.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“We are ready to fully implement the agreements and move forward with all aspects, including holding local elections in various areas of Donbas, which must be conducted in accordance with Ukrainian legislation and OSCE standards in order to produce legitimate regional representatives. Our constitutional reform and decentralization will encompass the elected representatives and provide them with powers, responsibility and accountability. What we need in order to move forward is a solid security foundation, and in particular a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire, the verified withdrawal of heavy weapons and unfettered monitoring by the OSCE throughout the conflict area, including at the border with Russia.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“Ukraine's efforts to implement the Minsk agreements have not been reciprocated in Russia. Moscow still relies on the pseudo-republics it has manufactured as a tool that may be activated at any time the Kremlin considers expedient, including by triggering new phases of conflict. For Ukraine, the Minsk agreements remain the agreed basis for a peaceful resolution to the situation in Donbas. Since the initial documents were signed, in September 2014, we have regularly initiated steps aimed at silencing the weapons there. It is profoundly regrettable that, a year after the Minsk package of measures was agreed on, its initial security provisions have yet to be implemented by Russia and its proxies.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“That has led to the illegal occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol and the plunging of the Donbas region into a bloody conflict. Ukraine, like other European States, also has to counter regular attempts to destabilize its internal situation. The overall style of such subversive activities is recognizable through its use of similar tools such as marginal nationalist forces operating under pseudo-patriotic slogans, including, in the countries of the European Union, those voicing anti-immigrant sentiments. I have to express our deep concern about the fact that the situation in Donbas remains fragile and prone to escalation, despite the significant efforts of Ukraine and the international community, including Mr. Steinmeier's personal contribution as a member of the Normandy ministerial framework.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“The growing potential for conflict across the globe is shaping our new security reality, and one permanent member of the Security Council has repeatedly resorted over the past decade to the most problematic area of that reality - armed aggression against neighbouring States in Europe that has resulted in occupation and, even more alarmingly, in the attempted annexation of part of the territory of another country, the first such attempt since the Second World War. We have all been dealing with the Russian hybrid war against Ukraine, which is marked by the invention of artificial grounds for invasion, the deployment of regular troops without insignia and the use ofpervasive, virulent propaganda.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“Instead of having a sense of secrity and confidence, States increasingly feel threatened in the current environment of systematic violations of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, and of a lack of international instruments adequate to holding the perpetrators of such violations to account. Under the circumstances of these difficult times, Germany's commitment to leading the OSCE is highly commendable. The German chairmanship has set itself an ambitious and noble task. It is a high bar, and I would like to assure Mr. Steinmeier of our full support for his efforts. The Security Council is vested with the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. Still, one can hardly avoid noticing that the dominant trend is worsening.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“Germany's participation in the Normandy format negotiations will be very helpful to the OSCE efforts in that regard. Ukraine fully shares and supports the German chairmanship's motto - "Renewing dialogue, rebuilding trust, restoring security". It is a very accurate description of what is needed for the situation not just within the OSCE's purview but all over the world. Instead of dialogue, we frequently witness bitter exchanges of mutual accusations. These days, instead ofa climate of trust, an overriding sense of mutual suspicion sets the tone in international politics.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“We warmly welcome Mr. Steinmeier and wouldlike to thank him for his tireless efforts on Ukraine, which have been demonstrated once again in his briefing to the Security Council today. I would like to express Ukraine's support for the priorities for 2016 of Germany's Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). We particularly commend Germany's determination to focus its efforts on practical responses to the grave threats to security in the OSCE's area of operations. The Russian aggression against Ukraine in Crimea and the Donbas region remains at the top of that list. Due to necessity rather than any choice of ours, the issue of that aggression will continue to be at the centre ofthe OSCE's attention.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“The parties to the conflict, both inside and outside of Syria, will have to prove with deeds, not words, that they are committed to meeting their obligations. This time there will be no room for political manoeuvres or excuses. There will be only one way - that of setting arms aside and engaging in a serious political process.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7634 (2016) · source
“However, preoccupied by the gravity and urgency of the situation in Syria, the Ukrainian delegation decided to cast its vote in favour of the resolution. Our motivation is driven by our recognition of the dire need to reverse this horrific conflict that has devastated Syria and put the entire Middle East on the brink of a larger regional escalation. That arrangement is obviously long overdue, but what matters is that it reflects a wide understanding that the Syrian people cannot wait any longer and deserve peace and most urgent help. Now that we have a glimmer of new hope in Syria, we need tangible practical steps on the ground. That having been said, we cannot but underscore the importance of the coming days and weeks, which will be defining ones.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7634 (2016) · source
“Russian tactics in Syria are similar to those in eastern Ukraine. Like in Ukraine, Russia is stirring up violence in Syria, including by supplying military personnel, providing arms and ammunition, conducting combat operations and spreading false propaganda. As we speak, I have just learned from reports that, with less than one hour left until Syria's ceasefire begins, a Russian air strike just hit the Al-Kinana hospital in Darat Ezza in Aleppo province. The current situation in and around Aleppo has too much in common with the tactics used by the Russian armed forces during the siege of the Ukrainian city of Debaltseve in February 2015 after the signing of the Minsk package of measures. Regrettably, our proposals to balance the text of paragraph 4 of the draft resolution were not duly reflected.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7634 (2016) · source
“Like others, we thank Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura for his briefing and his tireless efforts. The delegation of Ukraine supported resolution 2268 (2016), just adopted by the Security Council, and wholeheartedly hopes that it will serve the purpose ofbreaking the dangerous pattern of escalation in Syria and help to bring this conflict to an end. At the same time, we would like to register our disagreement with the language of paragraph 4 of the resolution in the part that recognizing the efforts of the Russian Federation to reach understanding on the terms of the cessation of hostilities. In reality, it is precisely the Russian Federation's support for the Government forces in Syria that have taken the violence to a new level in recent months. Russia is now trying to impose itself as a mediator in the Syrian settlement process.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7634 (2016) · source
“In our opinion, it would be beneficial ifthe Council were to convene at least once a month on the subject in consultations format, under the "Any other business" item, maybe towards the end of each month. In conclusion, Mr. President, I would like to wish you a successful completion of your duties in the next few days and to assure the incoming Angolan presidency of our full support.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7633 (2016) · source
“But our long-term hope is that the Korean peninsula will eventually be transformed from one of the world's hotspots into a region of peace and stability. Although today we are discussing what has been done in the past month, I suggest that we take a look further ahead to an issue of great interest and importance to the general United Nations membership - the appointment of the next Secretary- General. In February there were some useful exchanges among Council members on the selection process. With seven candidates officially nominated so far and new ones likely to emerge, I believe it is very important to ensure that the Council start holding some preliminary discussions on the issue right away, without postponing it until July.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7633 (2016) · source
“After the February missile launch, we reiterated our position that the Council must react robustly to such flagrant violations of numerous Security Council resolutions. While it is somewhat regrettable that it took so long for a draft resolution to arrive on the Council's table, we are nonetheless satisfied with its comprehensive nature and would like to express our appreciation for the efforts of the United States and China, which drafted the text. We consider the draft resolution's upcoming adoption to be a significant step on the part of the international community in helping to strengthen the global non-proliferation regime. We are realists, and we do not expect Pyongyang's behaviour to change overnight.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7633 (2016) · source
“Despite numerous discussions of the Syrian issue in the Council, in practice very little has been done to alleviate the Syrian people's suffering, put an end to the bloody conflict and focus energy and resources on combating the threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham, which is metastasizing into other countries in the region. A glimmer of hope for the Syrian people has recently appeared. We sincerely hope that the Council will not waste that precious window of opportunity. I would be remiss not to mention the issue of the sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. After the January nuclear test, we expressed our strong condemnation of the Pyongyang actions threatening international peace and security.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7633 (2016) · source
“What we need is a United Nations capable of efficiently and swiftly responding to Charter violations and other challenges of today. That brings me to the second part of my statement. The Security Council has a special responsibility to ensure that the Charter's purposes and principles are upheld and respected. Violations of the Charter quite oftenresultinarmedconflictsthatkill,maimanddisplace huge numbers of people. When that happens, it means that the Council has failed in its main responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. For the Council to be effective, it must be united - and that is something that is missing. Nowhere has that been more pronounced and evident than in the context of the Syrian conflict.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7633 (2016) · source
“Dangerous precedents set by unscrupulous leaders with no moral compass, preoccupied with visions ofpersonal grandeur and blinded by imperialist ambitions, may tempt some into thinking that it may actually pay to bend the rules here and there, interpret the Charter as it suits one and lie persistently, brazenly and with a straight face. The lack of concrete action on the part of the United Nations designed to punish perpetrators, correct wrongs and restore respect for the Charter's purposes and principles makes it only too apparent to Member States that might makes right. Is that the world that our leaders wanted to build 70 years ago? Is that the world that we would like to create now? Our answer is a resolute no.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7633 (2016) · source
“The open debate (see S/PV.7621) on respect for the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations in the context of the maintenance of international peace and security was very useful. The variety of views and approaches to the subject demonstrated the lasting validity of the Charter's provisions. However, the discussion made one thing clear, which is that any violation of any principles of the Charter undermines the foundation of the Organization and diminishes its legitimacy in the eyes of the world.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7633 (2016) · source
“I would cite as one of the highlights the debate (see S/PV.7620) on the Security Council's working methods. It was heartening to see a high level of convergence of views and an overall general understanding on the areas where the Council can make tangible improvements in the work of its subsidiary bodies. In that regard, the issuance of a presidential note on the work of the Council's subsidiary bodies (S/2016/ 170) is a welcome development and definitely a step in the right direction, albeit a small one. We therefore look forward to the first meeting next month of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions and stand ready to work closely with all Council members in order to further improve our methods of work.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7633 (2016) · source
“1 would like to thank you, Mr. President, and the entire Venezuelan team, for your hard, highly professional and effective work in February. Despite the fact that today we are formally summing up our work for the month, some important and sensitive issues still require our attention in the hours and days remaining, including one that has particular importance for my country, that is, the briefing on Monday by the Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. We commend your approach, Sir, in taking into account requests from all delegations and doing your best to try to accommodate them without prejudice or discrimination. Over the past few weeks, the Council has had to address quite a range of issues, but our performance has produced mixed feelings.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7633 (2016) · source
“In conclusion, I would like to quote Aristotle: "It is not enough to win a war; it is more important to organize the peace." Today, seven decades after the end of the Second World War and the adoption of the United Nations Charter, we must not forget the Charter's primary purpose - to maintain international peace and security. Unless the Charter is respected, there will be no peace or security in the world. Unless the Charter is respected, chaos and violence will prevail. The Charter must be respected. Order must be restored. Violations of the Charter must not go unpunished.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“The Charter has withstood dramatic changes in international relations and proved its key place in today's global architecture as the primary international legal instrument for preserving international peace, with far-reaching effects for the well-being of all peoples. Adherence to the principles embodied in the Charter is the best safeguard for the implementation of all other international legal documents and, ultimately, for the international rule of law. We trust that the General Assembly, the Security Council and world leaders will exert every effort and explore every opportunity to restore respect for the United Nations Charter.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“In that regard, to ensure the effective implementation of the Minsk agreements and resolution 2202 (2015), proceeding from the need to involve additional instruments in order to prevent further violations of the Charter of the United Nations and guarantee lasting peace and stability in certain areas of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine, we continue to insist that the deployment of a United Nations international peacekeeping operation in the territory of Ukraine could be an important step towards an effective solution for the conflict unleashed by the Russian Federation against my country.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“We urge the Russian Federation, as the occupying Power, to immediately provide free and unconditional access to the peninsula for an ongoing international presence of the relevant mechanisms of the United Nations, the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, among other international organizations. Ukraine fully recognizes the key role the United Nations plays in maintaining international peace and security and its capacity to that end to take effective measures to prevent and remove threats to peace.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“Early in the morning of 11 and 12 February, Russian security forces surrounded a number of Villages across the peninsula and raided Crimean Tatar homes, breaking windows and doors and confiscating computers and other property. Some people were detained. Russian security services opened a criminal investigation against several Crimean Tatars, accusing them of being involved in extremist activities. The way it was done reminds us of the tragic days of the 1944 mass deportation of Crimean Tatars from their homeland. Sadly, all this is happening again today. On Friday, I wrote to the President of the Security Council to draw attention to those developments.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“The ongoing events in Syria are convincing proof of that. Such a disturbing state of affairs needs to be urgently and appropriately addressed by the international community. Against the background of intense activities undertaken by the Russian occupation authorities to transform Crimea into a huge military base, we have observed a significant deterioration of the human rights situation there. International reports provide voluminous factual information about large-scale and systematic violations of human rights in Crimea, including disappearances, killings, torture and ill- treatment. Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians who openly supported the territorial integrity of Ukraine remain in a particularly vulnerable position. In the last week alone, we witnessed a new wave of repression and intimidation directed at Crimean Tatars.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“Ukraine is alarmed about Russia's unprecedented mounting militarization of occupied Crimea. To date, Russia has deployed in Crimea more than 23,000 military personnel, hundreds of battle tanks, armoured vehicles, combat aircraft and helicopters, dozens of coastal missile systems and so on. A particular danger is presented by the deployment in Crimea of potential carriers of nuclear warheads, such as warships and combat aircraft. Also worrisome is Russia's intention to refurbish the infrastructure of some Soviet-era storage facilities in Crimea for nuclear weapons. The illegal occupation and subsequent militarization of Crimea therefore threatens to have far-reaching consequences for security not only in the Black Sea region, but in all of South Europe, as well as in North Africa and the Middle East.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“Lavrov, Russia undertook to respect the independence and sovereignty and the existing borders of Ukraine and to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity of my country, as well as to affirm that none of its weapons would ever be used against Ukraine. Once again, I have become convinced that the Russian side reads international treaties in a specific manner: as with the Minsk agreements, Moscow read the Budapest Memorandum very selectively. Unfortunately, Russia has ignored all of our previous proposals to convene consultations in accordance with paragraph 6 of the Memorandum. For a signatory that is sure that it does not violate the Memorandum, why is there a concern about such consultations? Let me reiterate our call on all signatories to hold consultations without delay.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“In response, the Russian side has expressed general, unsubstantiated denials of those facts and has refused to recognize the existence of a dispute or its responsibility. Not only that: just a few days ago, I read the Russian Foreign Minister's statement claiming that the Russian Federation allegedly did not violate its commitments under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum on security assurances in connection with Ukraine's accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Let me stress that in that Memorandum, which was duly circulated to all Member States through ajoint letter also signed by Mr.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“But striving to achieve that and trying to re-establish lost trust does not, however, mean that a breach of the United Nations principles should be accepted. That would be an erroneous lesson to be drawn from history and would be fatal for European and world security. In that context, Ukraine has brought Russia's attention to the numerous facts of its aggression and proposed to resolve any existing disputes at the International Court of Justice or by ad hoc arbitration. Ukraine has also brought to the attention of the Russian Federation numerous cases of violations of international humanitarian law and breaches of its obligations as an occupying Power, as well as instances of human rights violations attributable to it due to its effective control over parts of Ukraine's territory.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“My country considers such actions as internationally wrongful acts violating the erga omnes obligations of Russia and thus entailing Russia's international responsibility not only vis-a-vis Ukraine but also vis-a-vis the entire international community. Not a single State remains unconcerned in this situation, no matter how distant it might be from Ukraine geographically. Over the past two years, Ukraine has on several occasions urged the Russian Federation to accept its international legal responsibility and demanded the termination of such wrongful acts. We proceed from the fact that Article 33 of the Charter envisages an obligation to settle any international disputes peacefully and provides a toolkit to do so. We remain committed to a peaceful resolution of this conflict.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“The aggressive war launched by Russia against Ukraine constitutes a grave breach of jus cogens - the peremptory norms of international law - and a flagrant disregard for the international obligations and commitments undertaken by Russia under the Charter of the United Nations, the Helsinki Final Act and other international treaties and documents. The actions of the Russian Federation constitute yet further proof that in practice there can be no isolated violation of a single principle of the Charter, as all principles are inherently connected and interdependent. Encroachment upon any of them essentially entails a breach of the entire corpus of the principles as a whole and of the many legal rules deriving from those principles.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“At the same time, Russia remains a sponsor of terrorism in the east of Ukraine and continues to provide financial, material, military and technical support to the separatists in Ukraine, which are organized, controlled and funded by the Russian Federation, including, in many cases, under cover of so-called humanitarian convoys. As a result, the almost-two-year-old Russian military aggression against Ukraine has already resulted in more than 9,000 civilians dead, at least 20,000 injured and millions of forcibly displaced persons.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“In a documentary for Russian State-run television broadcast a year later, on 15 March 2015, the Russian President admitted that the plan to annex Crimea had been launched weeks before the so-called referendum. It is no surprise that the authorities in Moscow had never intended to comply with General Assembly resolution 68/262, entitled "Territorial integrity of Ukraine", which calls upon all States to desist from any attempts to modify Ukraine's borders. The aggression has continued in the Donbas region of Ukraine. The aggressor has thousands of troops, heavy weapons, tanks, artillery, multiple rocket launchers, missiles and other military equipment not only at our borders but also on our soil.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source