47 United Nations Members Condemn Russian Destabilization of Ukraine & Occupation of Crimea

Forty-seven member-states of the United Nations adopted on March 26 a resolution condemning Russia’s ongoing occupation of Crimea as well as the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts in violation of international law.

The document was adopted on the seventh anniversary of the United Nation’s first of many resolutions denouncing Russia for defying the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

As the Russian war versus Ukraine shows no signs of abatement after seven years – while evidence shows to the contrary Moscow’s escalation of violence and numerous ceasefire transgressions – this action by nearly four dozen countries joins this year’s already intense global campaign that is maintaining requisite pressure on Moscow to cease and desist. Brushing aside diplomatic niceties, this resolution clearly states that Russia invaded Ukraine, violated its territory, and occupied three regions of an independent European country in a war that killed more than 14,000 people. The Russo-Ukraine War of 2014-21 is the only war on the European continent.

The UN members said that despite the clear demands of the UN General Assembly, Russia has not stopped its temporary occupation of Crimea. Russia, they said, is a partner to the conflict and continues flagrant human rights violations and abuses, and military build-up on the peninsula.

The international community has expressed its concern for Russia’s unlawful actions, which are inconsistent with international law, including the UN Charter, and are also contrary to the Helsinki Final Act.

The resolution was endorsed by permanent missions of Republic of Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Republic of Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, the Republic of Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Republic of Estonia, the Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Latvia, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Republic of Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Marshall Islands, the Republic of Moldova, the Principality of Monaco, Montenegro, Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Republic of North Macedonia, Norway, the Republic of Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, the Republic of Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the Republic of Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

The resolution states:

Seven years ago, on 27 March 2014, the United Nations General Assembly by an overwhelming majority of UN member-states adopted resolution 68/262 “Territorial Integrity of Ukraine”. By this resolution, the international community affirmed, loud and clear, its full commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

Despite the clear demands of the General Assembly, the Russian Federation has not stopped its temporary occupation of Crimea. On the contrary, it continues flagrant human rights violations and abuses, and military build-up on the peninsula.

These actions of the Russian Federation that undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its violations and abuses of the human rights of persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities on the peninsula and all others who oppose Russia’s occupation, prompted the General Assembly to adopt resolutions 71/205, 72/190, 73/263, 74/168, 75/192 “Situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine” and 73/194, 74/17, 75/29, “Problem of the militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.” In these resolutions, the General Assembly condemned the temporary occupation of Crimea and urged the Russian Federation, as the occupying power, to uphold all its obligations under applicable international law.

Russia’s actions have been of global concern, inconsistent with international law, including the UN Charter, and are also contrary to the Helsinki Final Act, as well as international humanitarian and human rights law. Russia’s attempts to legitimize the attempted annexation of Crimea are not, and will not be recognized.

We also firmly condemn Russia’s continued destabilization of Ukraine, especially Russia’s actions in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, disregarding the commitments it made under the Minsk agreements. We reiterate our support for the efforts of the Normandy format and our firm commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, in line with the Minsk agreements and with full respect of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia is a party to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, not a mediator.

Yet again, we urge the Russian Federation to immediately end its occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, and fully implement the relevant UN General Assembly resolutions on the situation in Crimea. We welcome in principle Ukraine’s initiative to establish an International Crimean Platform to consolidate the international community’s efforts on Crimea.