Following the meeting in Kyiv, NATO released a harsh anti-Russian statement
The NATO-Ukraine Commission met today in Kyiv in the presence of President Volodymyr Zelensky and members of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to discuss the security situation in and around Ukraine, the reform process within the country, as well as progress in the Alliance's partnership with Ukraine, PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
This is stated in a statement issued today by the NATO press service following the Commission meeting.
“Today we discussed the security situation in eastern Ukraine, which continues to cause serious concern. Allies praised President Zelensky for his commitment to a peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. We reaffirmed our support for resolving the conflict through diplomatic means in accordance with the Minsk agreements, which must be fully implemented by all parties; Russia, which signed the Minsk agreements, bears significant responsibility in this. We support the efforts of the Normandy format, the Trilateral Contact Group and the OSCE. We call on Russia to stop all political, financial and military support for militants, stop military intervention in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and withdraw troops, equipment and mercenaries from the territory of Ukraine, as well as return to the Joint Center for Control and Coordination,” the statement said.
NATO also emphasized the importance of ensuring security and full and unimpeded access for the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission up to the Russian-Ukrainian border.
“We welcome the disengagement around Stanitsa Luhanska and support efforts to implement disengagement in other designated areas as part of efforts to fully implement the Minsk agreements. Allies welcome Ukraine's continued commitment to the JIT (Joint Investigation Team) investigation into the downing of flight MH17,” the Alliance said.
In addition, as stated in the statement, NATO “strongly condemns and does not recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia.”
“Crimea is the territory of Ukraine. We call on Russia to return control of Crimea to Ukraine. We condemn Russia's ongoing and large-scale military buildup in Crimea, which is part of a broader pattern of Russian aggressive actions in the region,” the statement said.
In addition to traditional anti-Russian statements, the document also contains new notes.
“NATO's response to Russia's illegal actions in Ukraine supported overall international efforts, including sanctions. There can be no “business as usual” until there is a clear, constructive change in Russia’s actions that demonstrates compliance with international law and its international obligations and responsibilities,” NATO said.
NATO also demanded that the Russian Federation “immediately” and without any conditions release Ukrainians detained on Russian territory accused of various violations of Russian legislation.
“In accordance with UNGA resolution 73/263 of December 22, 2018, we call on Russia to immediately release and allow the return to Ukraine without preconditions of Ukrainian citizens who were illegally detained and convicted without taking into account the requirements of international law, as well as displaced or deported through internationally recognized borders from Crimea to the Russian Federation,” the statement said.
The alliance also touched upon the topic of the scandalous Ukrainian law on education, which has become a stumbling block between Kiev and Budapest.
“With regard to the education law adopted by the Verkhovna Rada in September 2017, allies call on Ukraine to fully implement the recommendations and conclusions of the Venice Commission. Ukraine is committed to this,” NATO said.
NATO pointed out the strategic importance of the Black Sea region for its plans.
“The Black Sea region is of strategic importance for the Alliance and its partners. Allies welcome the growing dialogue and cooperation between NATO and Ukraine on security issues in the Black Sea region. In accordance with the 2019 NATO Foreign Ministers' decision, Allies have strengthened their practical support to Ukraine, including cooperation with its navy, situational awareness, port visits, exercises and information exchange,” the statement said.
“In light of Ukraine's renewed aspirations for NATO membership, we support our decisions taken at the Bucharest summit and subsequent summits. We will work together to strengthen and adapt our distinctive partnership within the NATO-Ukraine Commission, which will contribute to building a stable, peaceful and indivisible Europe. An independent, sovereign and stable Ukraine, firmly committed to democracy and the rule of law, is key to Euro-Atlantic security,” NATO concluded.
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