Reply to Russia on Ongoing Violations by the Russian Federation in Ukraine
As delivered by Chargé d’Affaires Kate M. Byrnes
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
February 2, 2017
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for recognizing me as the representative of the United States of America. We represent the policy of the United States and our President, President Trump. The Russian Federation asked what messages they could convey to their authorities, and I would ask them to convey the message and the content of our statement. The United States position – a position that is coordinated with Washington – is to support the full implementation of the Minsk agreements. That includes continuing to call on Russia to cease its aggressive actions in eastern Ukraine once and for all, and to fulfill the commitments that Russia has with respect to the Minsk agreements. It also includes our condemnation of the occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea, and our call on Russia to end that occupation and return full control of the peninsula to Ukraine. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
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