Mr. Chairperson,

By delivering a statement on so-called “reunification of Crimea”, the Russian delegation succeeded again in putting a spotlight on Russia’s isolation within the OSCE community, on rejection of Russia’s false narratives and on strong condemnation of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and illegal occupation of Crimea over the past five years. On this subject I will specifically refer the Russian delegation to Ukraine’s full statement in the 1218thmeeting of the Permanent Council on 28 February 2019 under the current issue “Five years of illegal occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation”.

Today we reiterate again our strong condemnation of Russia’s gross violation of basic norms of international law and founding OSCE principles, including regarding the inviolability of frontiers and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. The consequences of Russia’s actions of seizure by force of parts of Ukraine’s territory are legally null and void. The status of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol as integral parts of Ukraine remains unchanged, as reaffirmed, in particular, by the UN General Assembly Resolutions 68/262 “Territorial integrity of Ukraine” and 71/205, 72/190, 73/263.  

We strongly urge the Russian Federation to stop its aggression against Ukraine, to withdraw from Ukraine’s territory and enable restoration of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, including the AR of Crimea and Sevastopol.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.