28 February 2014
URGENT APPEAL
Ukrainian World Congress urgently appeals to the international community
to ensure Russia’s adherence to its international obligations
The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) urgently appeals to the international community to closely monitor the recent developments in the Crimea, specifically Russia’s military intervention, following the refusal on 26 February 2014 of the Crimean Parliament to consider any proposed separatist initiatives.
It is imperative for the international community to remind Russia of its international obligations with respect to Ukraine, specifically the commitments in the 1994 Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances in connection with Ukraine’s accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, concerning the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
In accordance with the Budapest Memorandum, in exchange for its nuclear disarmament, Ukraine received numerous security assurances, including the following:
1. The United States of America, the Russian Federation, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine, in accordance with the principles of the CSCE Final Act, to respect the Independence and Sovereignty and the existing borders of Ukraine.
2. The United States of America, the Russian Federation, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, reaffirm their obligation to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine, and that none of their weapons will ever be used against Ukraine except in self-defense or otherwise in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.
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6. The United States of America, the Russian Federation, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will consult in the event a situation arises which raises a question concerning these commitments.
The UWC supports the call of Ukraine’s Parliament on 28 February 2014 for the United States of America, the Russian Federation and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to hold urgent consultations with Ukraine to ensure compliance with the Budapest Memorandum.
The UWC also urges the international community to send representatives to Eastern and Southern Ukraine, primarily to the Crimea, to closely monitor the undue pressure being exerted by Russian military forces in order to undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.
“The Ukrainian World Congress calls upon the international community to take immediate action to resolve the conflict in the Crimea and ensure security in the region,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.
