Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Olexandr Mischenko took part in the 52nd meeting of the BSEC Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
"The terrorist state Russia is undermining the foundations of international law and threatening the security of the entire Black Sea region," Olexandr Mischenko said.
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs drew participants' attention to yet another massive russian strike on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities carried out overnight on June 15.
At the start of his remarks, he stressed that while BSEC member states are discussing the development of regional cooperation and economic engagement, the Russian Federation continues its terrorist attacks against civilians in Ukraine. In particular, the overnight shelling damaged residential areas of the capital and the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Olexandr Mischenko emphasized the inadmissibility of russian attacks on civilian infrastructure and cultural heritage sites, stressing that such actions are a gross violation of international law and require an appropriate response from the international community. In this context, he called for a clear international response to the crimes of the aggressor state and stressed the need to hold the terrorist state Russia accountable.
The head of the Ukrainian delegation expressed gratitude to the Georgian chairmanship for its effective coordination of the Organization's activities and the successful holding of the 52nd meeting of the BSEC Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
In his remarks, the Deputy Minister stressed that Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine remains a key threat to peace, stability and economic development in the Black Sea region. He noted that the war Russia has been waging against Ukraine for thirteen years now significantly affects not only regional security but also the effectiveness of multilateral cooperation mechanisms, including BSEC.
Olexandr Mischenko separately drew attention to Russia's systematic attacks against civilian infrastructure, foreign investment and international shipping in the Black Sea. He stressed that such actions pose a direct threat to the security of the entire region, freedom of navigation, and the functioning of international trade routes, including the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.
The Deputy Minister called on BSEC member states to increase pressure on the aggressor state by expanding sanctions, restricting the activities of Russia's "shadow fleet," and strengthening international mechanisms to ensure freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.
The Ukrainian diplomat gave particular attention to the need to strengthen the Organization's institutional capacity, in particular proposing that consideration be given to amending the BSEC Charter to provide for appropriate measures, including the suspension of membership and rights of individual member states that commit acts of aggression and violate international law.
Responding to statements by Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Pankin, the Ukrainian diplomat stressed that attempts by the russian side to shift responsibility for the consequences of the war it unleashed are yet another manifestation of disinformation and political cynicism on Russia's part. Olexandr Mischenko stressed that lies, propaganda and the deliberate distortion of facts have become integral tools of the policy of the modern russian state machine.
In conclusion, Olexandr Mischenko stressed that achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine is a necessary precondition for the security and prosperity of the Black Sea region. He emphasized that any agreements on peace in Ukraine must be based on respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.
The Deputy Minister reaffirmed Ukraine's unwavering commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, international law, and constructive cooperation with international partners to strengthen peace, security and stability in the Black Sea region.