Islamabad: 22 Feb 2022 – Ambassador of Ukraine to Pakistan, Mr. Markiian Chuchuk has said that the new wave of military aggression against Ukraine will lead to severe consequences not only for security of Ukraine but also for security of the entire Europe and far beyond the region. In case of a new stage of Russian offensive, new wave of Western sanction against aggressor state will be imposed, that would negatively affect not just Russian economy, but international business activity too. So not just European countries but also states beyond the region are interested in averting the worst scenario.
He noted it in a press conference held at the embassy today to apprise Pakistani press about the latest situation of the aggression. He said that we are thankful to international community for all provided and future support to deter Russia from further aggression.
“Ongoing escalation in Ukrainian-Russian relations is not a matter of just last few months. Ukraine has been facing external military aggression for 8 years, since February 20, 2014.
Since then, as a result of Russian hybrid invasion, parts of the sovereign territory of Ukraine (the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol as well as certain territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions) remain under temporary foreign occupation.” Ambassador recalled.
Since November 2021, Russian Federation has been consistently amassing troops along the border with Ukraine, waging military drills in close proximity to Ukrainian borders, extending a range of “security demands” to Ukraine and its international partners as well as NATO.
According to the latest estimations, the Russian contingent of armed forces is totalling about 107,000 troops stationed along Ukraine’s borders and in Crimea, 122,000 troops amassed at a distance of 200 km and more than 143,000 at a distance of 400 km and could potentially be ready for offensive against Ukraine at any moment.
Despite the efforts of Ukraine and international community, Russian Federation hasn`t given clear explanation for presence its troops near Ukrainian border and could not provide clear and convincing evidence of the withdrawal of its troops.
Ukraine considers such Russian military presence as an unprovoked and unjustified, particularly, as it leads to deteriorating security situation on temporary occupied territories of Donbass.
The Russian armed formations have unleashed provocative firing along the entire length of the contact line in Donbas, significantly aggravating the already tense security situation.
During 18 February alone, Russia violated the ceasefire 66 times, including 52 times with the use of weapons prohibited under the Minsk agreements. Numerous Ukrainian villages have been shelled from the occupied territories, damaging civilian infrastructure and causing injuries to civilians and Ukrainian military. Russia’s illegal military formations launched 622 firearms attacks on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The shelling and provocative fire represent gross violation by the armed formations of the Russian Federation of the additional measures to strengthen the ceasefire agreed within the Trilateral Contact Group on 22 July 2020. Russia is also violating its commitments under the Minsk agreements and the agreements reached by the leaders of the Normandy Format at their 2019 summit in Paris.
Ukraine Condemns Russian Decision to Recognize “Independence” of Quasi-Entities it Created in Occupied Territories
According to Article 2 (4) of the United Nations Charter, all UN Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. Based on provisions of Article 2 (4) of the UN Charter, Ukraine considers presence of Russian troops along its border as a direct threat of use of these forces against her territorial integrity and independence and, for this reason, as a violation of Article 2 (4).
In this regard, Ukraine thanks to international community for all provided and future support to deter Russia from further aggression.
In connection with the last Russian side accusations of Ukraine of allegedly preparing an armed offensive in Donbas, the Embassy states, that Ukraine is adherent to a peaceful resolution of all international disputes and conflicts by diplomatic means and negotiations.
The government of Ukraine does not intend to launch an offensive operation in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Ukraine is not conducting or planning any sabotage acts in Donbas.
Ukrainian nationals reside on both sides of the contact line. Their peace, security and well-being are an absolute priority for Ukraine. So far, Ukraine remains firmly committed to the political settlement and, together with partners, pursue the diplomatic dialogue.
Ukraine urges the Russia to withdraw its military troops from the Ukrainian-Russian border immediately and thus deescalate tensions.
At the same time Ukraine reserves the rights, provided by Article 51 of the UN Charter, that envisages the states the inherited right of individual or collective self-defence.
“We call on our partners to condemn immediately the ceasefire violations by the Russian armed formations in Donbas and urge Moscow to deescalate.” Ambassador concluded.
