The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko on September 20 in new York, made during the General debate of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly.
Here is the full text of the speech of the Ukrainian President:
Dear Mr. President, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of Ukraine I sincerely congratulate Mr. Miroslav Lajcak, on his election as President of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly.
Mr. President, Ukraine fully supports all six priorities identified by You for the next session, and is ready to assist You in your noble efforts.
Much remains to be done to translate into reality our shared vision of a world – a peaceful, prosperous and equal.
The spiral of violence continues to affect more and more countries and regions.
Transnational terrorism, use of force in international relations, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, a refugee crisis, poverty, human rights violations and environmental vulnerability are just a few of the challenges that face us. The scale of the challenges requires our strong and common response.
SEE ALSO
- Poroshenko has called for UN reform
The time to act, and we have a very narrow window of opportunity to avoid sliding into irreversible chaos. The United Nations must be at the forefront of this process.
Ukraine has always advocated the need to reform the UN so that the Organization respond in time and adequately to the most urgent global challenges.
In this regard, we welcome the efforts that the Secretary-General from the first day of his election, making to develop and implement a full and comprehensive agenda for UN reform.
We also welcome and support the initiative of the United States to promote effective and meaningful reform of the UN.
Comprehensive reform of the Security Council are long overdue. I hope that the 72nd session of the General Assembly announces the stage to the intergovernmental negotiations on the reform agenda of the Security Council.
Mr. President, let me take this opportunity to state clearly that we in Ukraine can not agree with the call to respect and guarantee the sovereignty in the global dimension.
This decision, which is especially relevant, has been rightly proclaimed from this podium yesterday. When the UN was based, it was conceived in order to maintain peace and security in the world based on the principles of respect for sovereignty and integrity of borders.
Nation, the founder, among them was Ukraine, sought to protect a world that respects the sovereign right of free choice.
This is the principle on which guard should be the five permanent members of the Security Council for sustainable peace and security. This is the principle which so inconsiderately brought against my country, one country of these five. This is the principle that we should return by all means and tools that are at our hands.
And Ukraine is the place to invest in this noble cause in the name of sustainable peace and security. This is what millions of Ukrainians are struggling with the beginning of the Russian aggression in 2014 in the Crimea and in the Donbas.
SEE ALSO
- Russia has consistently chooses the tactics of increasing human suffering – Poroshenko
The three-year war with Russia is 10 thousand killed, 7% of the occupied Ukrainian territory, 20% of the Ukrainian economy – captured, destroyed or simply stolen.
However, the most terrible in this situation is that the Kremlin deliberately chose the tactics of strengthening of human suffering. The occupied Crimean Peninsula, in accordance with human rights activists, has become a territory of repression.
SEE ALSO
- UN Poroshenko made a statement on the Crimea
Who would dare to disagree with the Kremlin, risking his freedom and even life.
Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars are arrested even for publications in social networks, or, as happened in the case of the Crimean farmer Vladimir Baloga in December 2016, for the hanging of the Ukrainian national flag at a private home.
Continuing persecution of leaders Majilis – representative body of Crimean Tatars, whose activities are prohibited by Russian occupation authorities.
SEE ALSO
- The situation with human rights in the Donbass remains dramatic – Poroshenko
Just a week ago, Ahtem Chiygoz, Deputy head Majilis, was sentenced to 8 years in prison for speaking out against the Russian occupation.
Another Deputy head of the Mejlis, Ilmi Umerov, who has serious health problems, is under house arrest and he is forbidden to leave the Crimea for treatment.
Russia rudely violates a resolution of the UN General Assembly 71/205 “the State of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and city of Sevastopol (Ukraine)”.
She continues to ignore all calls by the office of the high Commissioner for human rights to ensure an appropriate and unimpeded access to Crimea for international monitoring missions on human rights.
The Kremlin also serves as the provisional measures granted by the International Court of justice.
The international Court of justice demanded that Russia to refrain from maintaining or imposing new restrictions on the ability of the Crimean Tatar community to keep their representative institutions, including Medzhilis, and to ensure the right of Ukrainian citizens to study in the Ukrainian language.
Such disrespect of Russia to international commitments must receive a proper response from the international community.
The international community must closely monitor the situation in Crimea, to warn of a new genocide against the Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians, inspired by the modern fighters of Stalin’s totalitarian ideology.
I count on the support of your initiatives by the delegations of Ukraine to ensure the observance of human rights in the temporarily occupied Crimea, in particular, following the relevant resolution of the UNGA.
We need to strengthen the international regime of de-occupation of Crimea.
The fact that at the highest international level, UN General Assembly – Russia recognized the occupation government proves that we are on the right track.
It’s time to create an international group of friends of Ukrainian Crimea to coordinate shared steps and actions.
We look forward to a coordinated and dedicated support of our international partners.
The militarization of the Crimea is yet another challenge in the field of security, which affects all of southern and Eastern Europe, North Africa and the middle East.
Ukraine strongly condemns the numerous military exercises, which are held in the Crimea and at the borders of Ukraine, especially the “West-2017”.
Together with our neighbors and partners, we call on Russia to ensure full compliance of its actions with the commitments under the Vienna document of the OSCE and other international rules governing military activities.
The state of human rights and the security situation in the Donbas not less dramatic than in the Crimea.
This year Ukraine has initiated three major attempts of the beginning of the ceasefire – on the occasion of Easter, harvest and school truce. However, the Russian occupation troops and their puppets again all of them broke.
In case of violation of Minsk agreements, Russia continues to send regular forces to deliver heavy weapons and ammunition by the occupying forces on the territory of certain districts of Donetsk and Lugansk regions.
She unceremoniously rejects the establishment of a constant monitoring of the OSCE over the border between Ukraine and Russia. The question of liberation of hostages in the framework of the Minsk process was at a standstill.
The list of Ukrainian hostages in the Donbas is growing. People are kidnapped on purpose. Their only fault – Pro-Ukrainian position. We remember 16-year-old Stepan Chubenko, who was killed by five shots to the head after the Russians saw it with a Ukrainian ribbon.
Another example. 63-year-old theologian from Donetsk Igor Kozlovsky for more than two years in prison on false charges and deprived of the ability to communicate with their family and friends.
Russia still holds at least 16 Ukrainian political prisoners on its territory. Among the most famous Ukrainian Director Oleg Sentsov and Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko.
Just think about it. The seizure of land of other people… kidnapping… conducting a covert war… the knocking down of a civilian aircraft… spreading lies around the world is behavior suitable permanent member of the Security Council?
Russia is not a contributor to international security, and its greatest threat.
Today Russia is perhaps the only country in the world that has a conflict with hot, frozen, or potential – with almost all its neighbors.
Mr. President, the main problem of Donbass that Ukraine and Russia are committed fully to the opposite.
SEE ALSO
- Poroshenko at the UN General Assembly called the main goal of Russia’s peacekeepers
Ukraine wants peace and restoration of sovereignty over its territory.
Russia wants control over Ukraine and undermines all efforts aimed at the restoration of our sovereignty within the borders of our state.
Russia is seeking to convert the world in Ukraine for the freedom of Ukraine. Ukraine will never accept such an agreement. Not accept it and the international community.
The last hybrid “peace offer” from Moscow are another example of these ambitions, seeking to legalize their puppets and to freeze the conflict forever.
We will welcome any proposal that will bring peace to our country. We are convinced that a full-fledged peacekeeping operation, the UN is the only effective solution to de-escalate, protect the people of Ukraine and for approaching us to a political settlement.
That is why the mandate of the peacekeepers to cover the entire occupied territory, including the Russian-Ukrainian state border. It is a prerequisite.
Until the border is used as the key path for the supply of arms and personnel to the Donbas, until then there will be no peace in my country.
At the heart of this mission should be the guiding principles of UN peacekeeping. One of them is the impartiality of the peacekeepers. In such a mission is no place for the representatives of the aggressor. They can’t be part of it by definition.
Stress that any abuse of the peacekeeping UN instruments to secure the profit of aggression is unacceptable. If we are able to bring peace in the heart of Europe, you must determine the correct settings.
A full international presence can also help us cope with the increasing terrorist activities in the territories affected by the conflict.
The terrorist component of the hybrid war of Russia against Ukraine clearly expressed and become a reality of daily life in the Donbass.
SEE ALSO
- Poroshenko recalled the UN shot down over the Donbas “Boeing”
Three years ago, the world was shocked by the churning in the skies over Donbass Malaysian airlines flight MH 17 with 298 people on Board.
Ukraine is determined to do everything possible to bring to justice all involved in this mass murder. Continue two investigations – criminal and technical. Both detect specific details.
Those who were behind this horrible crime, came from Russia. The missile was delivered from Russia.
The death of the victims of flight MH17 on the conscience of Russia.
The five countries that constitute the Overall investigation team, decided to bring to justice those responsible for Downing MH17 in the framework of the Dutch legal system.
This year the international Court of justice began hearings on the case of Ukraine against Russia for violating the International Convention for the suppression of the financing of terrorism (1999).
We hope that the decision of the high court, the UN will help to attract Russian Federation responsible for numerous violations of international law and the financing of crimes committed in 2014.
Look forward to the support and assistance of all member States of the UN in this process.
Mr. President, for decades Ukraine has been a strong contributor to global security. In the name of peace in exchange for security assurances, Ukraine gave up its world’s third-largest nuclear Arsenal.
Twenty years later in the Ukraine burst the one who promised to respect and (when necessary) to protect the state border of Ukraine.
However, we remain strong supporters of the global non-proliferation and disarmament.
That is why we strongly condemn the nuclear test and multiple ballistic missile launches carried out by North Korea.
SEE ALSO
- You need to force North Korea to fulfill its international obligations – Poroshenko
We are deeply concerned about the permanent removal of resources due to the priority of human needs to fuel its nuclear Arsenal, Pyongyang, combined with serious violations of human rights.
We strongly support the strengthening of measures aimed at ending the illicit activities of Pyongyang and the return of North Korea to the international legal field.
At the same time, allow me to reiterate the appeal of Ukraine to the UN Security Council to conduct a detailed investigation into the development of nuclear and missile programs of North Korea with the aim of identifying any possible external aid to Pyongyang in this area.
We Express our deep concern with the current situation in Syria. We believe that full implementation of and compliance with the word and spirit of the Geneva communiqué of 2012 and UN security Council resolution 2254 is absolutely necessary for the settlement of the conflict in that country.
What attracts our special attention in the context of this bloody conflict is the use by Russia of the occupied Crimea as a military Outpost for the design of military force in Syria.
SEE ALSO
- Russia is using the Crimea as an Outpost for military operations in Syria – Poroshenko
At a time when there is a war, a large number of Russian military equipment is being transported to Syria by ships based in the ports of the Crimea.
Very disturbing and the fact that the African continent continues to suffer from several unresolved conflicts.
As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, my country spared no effort to support the African continent and the preservation of the main principles of the international order – sovereignty, non-interference in internal Affairs, the rule of law and peaceful settlement of disputes.
As Chairman of the Committee established by Council resolution 2127, we have actively supported regional and international efforts to stabilize the situation in the Central African Republic.
From January 2017, Ukraine took the chairmanship of the 1591 Committee on Sudan. We are committed to supporting international efforts to resolve the conflict in Darfur.
African countries can count on Ukraine as a reliable friend.
Mr. President, my country fully committed to the implementation Agenda for sustainable development 2030 and the sustainable development Goals.
Despite the serious costs of defense, which reach more than 5% of GDP, Ukraine continues to implement fundamental transformation – to fight corruption, promote judicial and law enforcement reforms to implement decentralization, improve business opportunities.
A year and a half ago, the economic situation in Ukraine was so complex that we could only dream about macroeconomic stabilization. Now we have all grounds to say about the economic recovery.
Among the key priorities of the Agenda of the United Nations development 2030 in Ukraine – sustainable energy, food security, promotion of innovation and stable infrastructure, as well as the promotion of an effective health care system, affordable education and decent work.
I am sure that no country able to achieve sustainable development without sustainable peace and security.
Therefore, strengthening peace and promoting security should be the driving and unifying force of our joint efforts to achieve sustainable development Goals.
Ukraine has given our obligations in accordance with the Paris climate agreement.
Our intentions on this matter are very serious. Ukraine was the first European country that gave the Deposit its instrument of ratification of the United Nations.
Mr. President, the United Nations has always played a leading role in ensuring that crime could never happen again.
72nd session of the General Assembly coincides with the 85th anniversary of one of the deadliest crimes of the twentieth century – the Holodomor.
SEE ALSO
- Poroshenko called on all member States of the UN to recognize the Holodomor in Ukraine as act of genocide
It was an artificial famine in Ukraine in 1932-1933, organized by the totalitarian regime of Stalin, which led to the deaths of 7 to 10 million Ukrainians.
Dr. Raphael Lemkin, the author of the Convention on the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948, called the destruction of the Ukrainian nation as a “classic example of genocide”.
I urge member States of the UN to adopt its own historic decision on the recognition of Holodomor as act of genocide.
Mr. President, this is a testing time for all of us. More people die in wars and natural disasters. The truth is overshadowed by the “post-truth”. The world is again divided between those who believe that freedom is necessary and those who think freedom is not important.
One group seeks to build a better future. The other pulls us back. The time has come for those who believe in freedom, unity. It’s time for freedom to be strong, convincing and convinced.
Let us be!
SEE ALSO
- Poroshenko speech at the UN security Council: the full text
Recall, September 5, Putin said that agree to the deployment of UN peacekeepers only on the demarcation line in the Donbass to ensure the security of observers of the Special monitoring mission of the OSCE. However, he noted that this issue cannot be solved without direct contact with representatives of Pro-Russian militants in the Donbas.
After that, Russia sent to the UN a draft resolution on the deployment of peacekeepers in the Donbas.
In turn, September 7, Poroshenko stressed that UN peacekeepers should be deployed throughout the temporarily occupied territory, including uncontrolled land border with Russia.
