DistinguishedMr. Chairman,
Distinguishedmembers of the Committee,
At the outset I would like to thank you for giving me a chance to address the Committee at this crucial moment of the Ukrainian history.
I know that you all are sincerely concerned about last developments in Ukraine.
For all civilized states and people, for each and every European towhomhuman valuesarenotblank words it is clear: Russian troops have invaded the territory of Ukraine in Crimea under illegal and groundless excuse of protecting the Russian speaking population.
Invasion by Russian troops of the territory of sovereign Ukraine is a brutal breach of international law and guarantees of security to our state given by Russia.
It is an evident violation of the UN Charter (let me recall that being a permanent member of the Security Council Russia bears special responsibility to safeguard peace and security). It is also a breach of the OSCE Helsinki Final Act, as well as Russia's specificcommitments to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity under the Budapest Memorandum of 1994 and the bilateral Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership of 1997 (by which it recognized existing Ukrainian boarders).
Oneshouldn’t be susceptible to Russian propaganda which tries to persuade the world that Russia is a “peacemaker”, allegedly, willing to protect ethnical Russians on the territory of our country from “fascists and nationalists”.
Nobody and nothing threaten Russians and representatives of other nationalities living in Ukraine and in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in particular.
I responsively state that allegations that the Russian speaking population in Crimea in and South-Eastern regions of Ukraine has been deprived of its right to speak Russian are just not true. The abolition by the Ukrainian Parliament of a controversial and mainly politically motivated law on State Language Policy, has been vetoed by the acting President and hence remains in force.
Other problems, first of all social and economic, which now exist in Crimea, are similar to other Ukrainian regions.
In any way it is my strong conviction that all problems and misunderstandings which are natural for difficult times can and must be resolved peacefully without foreign intervention with a help of security and human rights international institutions, such as the UN, the OSCE and the Council of Europe.
Trying to justify its aggressive actions Russia finds more and more excuses.
On Monday the Russian Ambassador to the UN stated that it was the ex-President Yanukovychwho had appealed to the Russian President to bring troops into Ukraine and even demonstrated a sheet of paper with Yanukovych’s signature.
I deliberately don’t dwell on moral side of this matter. Even closest allies of Yanukovych in Ukraine were outraged at his disgusting act to use foreign army against his own people.
I just want to point out that according to the Constitution only the VerkhovnaRada (Parliament) of Ukraine can legally afford foreign troops to move into Ukraine, not even a President in power.
I don’t think that in this audience it is worth to recall in details the events that have led to today’s crisis. Facts are well known.
Yanukovych’s sudden reverse from the path of Ukraine’s European integration last November, his unwillingness to listen to people who has been appealing to him for three months, ignoring the international community calls to resolve peacefully the crisis, finally, turned in bloodshed. Almost 100 people were shot dead by the police forces on the streets of Kyiv.
To stop the bloodshed on 21February an Agreement on the Settlement of Crisis in Ukraine was signed.
On the next day Yanukovych publicly renounced the Agreement and stated that he had no intention to sign the law restoring the Constitution of 2004 adopted by the Parliament, and left Kyiv for unknown destination.
Actually he has fled the country and left ruined economy, completelyplunderedstate budget and a lot of luxury private estates and other belongings. The TV and “The Irish Times” covered this situation in details, so I’m sure you are fully aware of those facts.
Taking into account the absence of a legitimate Government of Ukraine which resigned on January 28 and President's self-removal from exercising his functions, the VerkhovnaRada of Ukraine, being the only legitimate authority, on 22February took all the power and responsibility for Ukraine.
Mr.Turchynov was elected as new Chairmanof the VerkhovnaRada which in full compliance with the Constitution conferred him powers of the President of Ukraine until pre-term presidential election to be held on 25 May 2014. So, Mr.Turchinov is an Acting President.A new Government was formed last Thursday.
The EU member states, including Ireland, as well as the US and other democracies recognized the legitimacy of new state power in Ukraine.
However, Russia considers it illegitimate stating that the Agreement of 21 February has not been abided by the opposition.
We find these allegations groundless and nonconstructive.
The Agreement was not fulfilled by the ex-President Yanukovych himself. As I said he refused to sign the new law restoring the Constitution of Ukraine of 2004 adopted by the Parliamentas it was provided for by the Agreement.
Moreover, the Russian position looks surprising, given the fact that its Envoy Mr.Lukin refused to recognize the Agreement before it was signed.
On March 1, 2014, not only each of us, Ukrainians, but the whole civilized world were shocked with the adoption by Russian lawmakers of the decision, which actually gives consent to unleash a war against Ukraine.
As of today, approximately 16,000 Russian troops have been deployed in Crimea by the military ships, helicopters, cargo airplanes from the neighboring territory of the Russian Federation. The Russian occupant troops keep taking their attempts to seize, block and control crucial governmental and military objects of Ukraine in Crimea: the Parliament of Crimea, all civil and military airports, means of communications, radio stations, customs service, military and coastguard bases, Headquarters of the Ukraine’s Navy in Crimea. All main roads are blocked.
Accumulation of the Russian Federation’s troops and military equipment along the eastern border of Ukraine clearly indicates Russia’s preparation for a possible military intervention into Ukraine the other parts of Ukraine.
So far, Ukrainian Armed Forces have exercised restraint and refrained from active resistance to the aggression, although they are in full operational readiness.
The Russian Federation is performing active informational and psychological operations in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, as well as in the South-Eastern regions of Ukraine. They are aimed at discrediting legitimate authorities of Ukraine and misleading public opinion by calling Russia’s intervention a “peacekeeping operation”.
Mr. Chairman,
Russia’s President Putin yesterday stated that there was no need to send Russian forces to Ukraine at present.
We could only welcome these words if Russia starts acting accordingly:
-to stop aggression and immediately withdraw its armed forces to the areas of their permanent stationing in accordance with the Agreement on the Status and Conditions of the Black Sea Fleet Stationing of 1997;
-to disarm so-called “self-defense forces” heavily equipped with Russian ammunition;
-to start negotiations with good services of the UN and OSCE representatives to de-escalate the situation;
-to agree to Ukraine’s proposal to hold consultations as foreseen in the bilateral Treaty of 1997 and the Budapest Memorandum.
We are grateful to the Government of Ireland and not indifferent Irish people for support of Ukraine at this difficult moment and their condemnation of aggressive actions of Russia.
Ukraine appreciates Ireland’s firm position announced atthree successive statements by the Tánaiste.
We believe that this support will continue to be effective, sustainable and concrete.
We see now that in this difficult moment we are not alone.
Today I would like call on you distinguished Irish parliamentarians to raise your voice and use all your political influence to stop the aggression and prevent a war in the very centre of Europe.
Thank you.