By adopting on December 17, 2018 the United Nations General Assembly  Resolution “Problem of the militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol (Ukraine), as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov”, the international community clearly expressed its position in support of territorial integrity of Ukraine and condemnation of aggression of the Russian  Federation.

Despite desperate attempts of the Russian Federation to hamper the adoption of the document, the United Nations General Assembly once again condemned the temporary occupation by the Russian Federation of the Crimean peninsula and sent a clear message on the non-recognition of its attempted annexation. The Russian Federation must withdraw its military forces from Crimea and immediately stop the illegal occupation of the territory of Ukraine.

The occupation of Crimea, the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine by the Russian Federation is in contravention to its commitments made under the Memorandum on Security Assurances in Connection with Ukraine’s Accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (Budapest Memorandum).

The Resolution expresses its utmost concern about unjustified use of force by the Russian Federation against three vessels of the Naval Forces of Ukraine in the Black Sea resulted in the serious wounding of individual crews members and calls on the Russian Federation to release without delay the vessels and their personnel.

Under the Russian occupation, Crimea has been transformed into the powerful military base, which threatens security and stability of the Black sea region, as well as Mediterranean and the Middle East.

The Resolution calls on the Russian Federation to refrain from impeding the lawful exercise of navigational rights and freedoms in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait in accordance with applicable international law, in particular provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Important element of the Resolution is condemnation of Russia’s construction and opening of the Kerch Strait bridge as well as increase of Russian presence in the water areas of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

Wide support of Ukraine’s position concerning Crimea and condemnation of militarization of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov is a clear signal for the Russian Federation: Russian crimes and provocations will not stay beyond the attention of international community, and the aggressor state will respond for the violations of law. 

Ukraine confirms its adherence to the political and diplomatic settlement  of conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In this regard new resolution will be used in the context of Ukrainian efforts on deoccupation of the territory of our state, as well as renewal of stability in the Black Sea and Azov Sea region. 

Ukraine is grateful for every state that gave its voice for the UN GA Resolution “Problem of the militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol (Ukraine), as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov”.