The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba commented on the security situation around Ukraine amid of talks between senior Russian and US officials in Geneva.
- Ukraine has made it clear that Russia’s demands of the so-called ‘security guarantees’ are illegitimate and unacceptable. It has neither the right to decide our future, nor interfere in our relations with NATO, EU and partner states. It is only up to Ukraine and members of those alliances to agree on the way forward, including on our country’s membership.
- Although Russia manipulates its ‘demands’ by misinterpreting the political commitments undertaken by the OSCE participating states on the indivisibility of security, the OSCE fundamental documents affirm that «that each participating state has an equal right to security and is free to choose or change its security arrangements.»
- In fact, what Russia demands from the US and NATO, including to halt its enlargement to the East, not to accept Ukraine as its member, and to cease all military ties with our country, represents an attempt by Russia to revive the ‘Molotov Ribbentrop Pact’ in the 21st century, to divide Europe into the spheres of influence.
- Putting an end to the Russian armed aggression and occupation of Crimea and parts of Donbas will be the best security guarantees in Europe. Russia must deescalate the situation along the border, withdraw its forces from the territory of Ukraine and stop interfering in our internal affairs. Peaceful settlement of protracted conflicts in Europe, instigated and fueled by Russia, will further contribute to stability in Europe.
- Over the recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified its contacts with international partners to ensure that the national interests of our country are fully safeguarded during the upcoming diplomatic talks. The US, the EU and NATO remain committed to the fundamental principle: there must be no agreements about Ukraine without Ukraine.
- On 10 January, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba will visit Brussels at the invitation of NATO Secretary General to participate in the NATO — Ukraine Commission. It is symbolic that NATO wants to coordinate positions with Ukraine before it meets with Russia a few days later.
- Both Ukraine and its partners have one task now: to use diplomatic means in order to promote the deescalation of the situation, caused by Russia, and to force Moscow to cease its aggressive actions. We are systematically working on restraining Russia, including through setting up a comprehensive deterrence package that contains painful economic sanctions to the Russian economy, as well as defense support to Ukraine.
- We would also welcome more NATO presence in Eastern Europe and the wider Black Sea region. This could include, for instance, intensification of NATO’s rotating naval presence in the Black Sea aimed at supporting the freedom of navigation and facilitating trade routes, or establishment of the NATO Hub East (following the example of the NATO Hub East in Italy).
- There will be no security in Europe without the security of Ukraine. Any discussion on European security must include the EU and Ukraine. Any concessions to Russia without the fulfilment of its obligations under the Minsk agreements and agreements reached in the Normandy format, including during the Normandy Summit in Paris in 2019, will only encourage the Russian leadership to conduct more aggressive foreign policy.
- Ukraine is committed to diplomacy. It is seeking peace, justice and security not only for itself, but also for the entire Europe.