Right of Reply to Russian Federation on its Ongoing Violations of International Law and Defiance of OSCE Principles and Commitments by the Russian Federation in Ukraine
As delivered by Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Harry Kamian
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
March 8, 2018
In light of one of the comments made by my esteemed Russian colleague with regards to Special Envoy Volker and a statement by the Russian delegate with regard to what led to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, I’d just like to make four pretty simple, straightforward points.
Contrary to the views expressed by our Russian delegate today, Mr. Chair, what led to the current conflict in eastern Ukraine today, is Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
What led to the current crisis that we have in Ukraine was Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.
What led to the current conflict in Ukraine was Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s independence.
What led to the current conflict in Ukraine, perpetuates the current conflict there, and continues to pose the single greatest threat to regional stability and security is Russia’s repeated and ongoing violations of among the most important core principles and commitments that we have in the OSCE.
Thank you.
