Remarks by Deputy Minister on situation in Crimea

Opening remarks by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on the situation in Crimea

25.03.2014 | 15:30
Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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.

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