Your Excellencies,
First of all I would like to thank the distinguished professor Argentieri for inviting me to participate in this round table. The book "Central and Eastern Europe from Communism to Democracy" represents a very interesting study into the modern political and socioeconomic history of a large part of the European continent. While embracing different aspects of the transition period it also touches upon some extremely interesting and under research topics like the role of women in transformation processes in the region, also mentioning a famous Ukrainian politician Yulia Tymoshenko.
There is an expression “May you live in interesting times”. It is actually a curse and means “May you experience much disorder and trouble in your life”. The period of transition of Central and Eastern Europe from communism to democracy, beyond any doubt, was, and perhaps to some extent still is, an interesting time, - a range of truly historic events that without exaggeration had global repercussions and, most importantly, dramatic effect on lives of millions of people.
A new edition of the book appears at the right time, since the situation in Central and Eastern Europe countries becomes topical once again. It is obvious that a long process of democratic transformations is still underway in the region that faces new complicated challenges. One of them is situation around my country – Ukraine that continues to suffer so much.
The book has a separate chapter on Ukraine authored by Taras Kuzio. Dr. Kuzio is an academic and expert in Ukrainian post-communist political, economic and security affairs. He has written many books and numerous articles on contemporary Ukrainian issues. The final pages of Kuzio’s chapter are dedicated to the dramatic events of the Ukrainian Revolution of dignity and the situation in Crimea.
As you all know, since the beginning of 2014 Ukraine has been subject to Russian military aggression. In spring 2014 Russia occupied Crimea, which was, is, and will be Ukrainian soil. Since that time, in the illegally annexed Peninsular we see constant violations of political, language and cultural rights.
After the annexation Russia started to wage a hybrid war in Eastern Ukraine. From the beginning of the conflict about 6 thousand innocent civilians have been killed. There are over 1 million displaced persons formally registered in Ukraine and another 600,000 have sought asylum or other forms of legal stay in neighbouring countries. One should separately mention the crash of MH17 flight as an outrageous act of terrorism, committed by the proxies of Russia. No one should have any doubts that it is the Russian Federation that is responsible for all crimes of illegal armed formations in Donbas, carried out by Russian weapons and with participation of Russian citizens.
Since the Minsk agreement were signed on 5 and 19 of September 2014, signatures to which, besides Ukraine and the OSCE, were also affixed by an official representative of the Russian Federation, as well as of the separatists, Ukraine continuously demands their full implementation. These agreements built upon a Peace Plan of the President of Ukraine on peace settlement of the situation in the Donbas, including all key elements that are necessary for immediate de-escalation of the situation, its stabilization and start of rehabilitation of the Donbas, namely: cease of fire, restoration of the Ukrainian control over the Ukrainian-Russian state border, full and immediate withdrawal of foreign troops and mercenaries, assurance of return to the touch line as of 19 September 2014, withdrawal of heavy weapons, release of hostages and illegally detained persons, improving the humanitarian situation in the region and conduct of the local elections under the Ukrainian legislation. Ukraine has been implementing the Minsk agreements in full manner and has been waiting for its fulfilment by Russia and militants in the course of long four months. Over the last months, the pro-Russian militants have been constantly assaulting the positions, where Ukrainian forces were positioning as well as shelling residential areas causing numerous civilian casualties.
On Febryary, the 12th the agreement on ceasefire, liberation of all hostages and illegally detained persons has been achieved following the meeting in Minsk in the Normandy format with participation of President of Ukraine, Chancellor of Germany, President of France and President of Russia.
Ukraine has once again demonstrated a responsible attitude to the fulfilment of undertaken international obligations. The arrangement on ensuring the ceasefire regime starting from February 15, 00:00 has been fulfilled by the Ukrainian side, as stipulated in the documents adopted in Minsk. In clearly defined term and under clearly defined procedure in cooperation with the OSCE SMM, Ukraine has started the withdrawal of heavy weaponry. Last week Ukrainian Parliament adopted amendments to the Law on Special Order of Local Government in Certain Districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the main purpose of which is to hold fair, transparent and open local elections and reintegrate these territories in Ukraine.
Unfortunately, Russia and Russian-backed militants mostly don’t comply with commitments undertaken in Minsk. There have been numerous attempts to return everyone to war and escalation of the situation. This is also related to the ceasefire regime, which is confirmed by the OSCE SMM representatives. Having used the truce and the beginning of the withdrawal of heavy weaponry, Russian-backed militants encircled Debaltseve town and declared the continuation of the offensive operation. Declared yet not fulfilled regime of heavy weaponry withdrawal also doesn't meet the procedure. The withdrawal is performed either partially or in a way to strengthen their assault capabilities. They have also blocked the access of the OSCE monitoring mission to the battlefield. Since 15 February, Russian militants have shelled Ukrainian positions over 1000 times. The issue of termination of the so-called humanitarian convoys is also unsolved. These convoys cross the uncontrolled part of the Ukrainian-Russian border and we insist that the given procedure should take place in full conformity with the Ukrainian legislation. Hostages haven't been liberated yet. Moreover, they are being exploited brutally, in violation of all humanitarian norms, at the barrel of guns. Russia refuses to release illegally detained Ukrainian political prisoners - Nadia Savchenko, Oleg Sentsov, and others. The broadcast of Ukrainian TV channels and radio stations in certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions has been disconnected. Militants block delivery of Ukrainian and international humanitarian aid. Russia refuses to extend proper verification of the area, including the checkpoints along the border that is currently out of Ukraine’s control. It has not retreated its regular troops as well as military equipment from Ukraine. Russia remains its strategy unchanged and according to some sources is planning to step up its offensive even this spring, preparing a seizure of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol in an effort to make a land bridge to the annexed Crimea.
However, it would be a self-delusion to believe that Putin only seeks territorial gains in Ukraine. He targets future of the neighbouring countries, of the whole region and aims at controlling Europe. We insist that the Russian party and militants should be brought back to the fulfilment of the undertaken commitments as a result of efficient and coordinated actions. Ukraine seeks international support that Russia will finally be compelled to keep its promises, rein in its proxies and stop sending troops and weaponry into Ukraine. We demand Russia fully implement the Minsk agreements which it has thus far supported only in words, including the immediate withdrawal of all its armed forces from the territory of Ukraine, the stabilization of the Ukrainian-Russian border and the establishment of international monitoring. We expect that the crime, its perpetrators and those behind will be decisively condemned by the international community. There is no other option but to raise the costs for Putin’s aggression, to scale up the sanctions against Russia, targeting its financial sector. It means to strengthen Ukraine’s defensive potential and economic stability.
A separate issue of particular importance is an effective counteraction to massive worldwide Russian propaganda that denies Ukraine’s inalienable right to self determination and even statehood. Russian state controlled media were caught in a lie and absurd statements on numerous occasions. This problem urgently demands joint efforts of international community.
One must take into consideration that by defending itself against Russian aggression, Ukraine is also protecting the European Union. The collapse of Ukraine would open the door to Russian influence and even domination in Europe. The events in Ukraine should not be perceived as local and distant problem, but an issue of European and international security. This concerns everyone. It is only unity of the entire civilized world and solidarity with Ukraine that gives hope for the restoration of peace. Let me cite a famous line by a line by John Donne, also used by Ernest Hemingway in his novel “For Whom the Bell Tolls“.
“No man is an island entire of itself; every man
is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe
is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as
well as any manner of thy friends or of thine
own were; any man's death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom
the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”
By the way, the same Hemingway called war “a rotten game” in his novel “A Farewell to Arms”. Let us do everything in your powers to avoid it. And “May we all live in “uninteresting times”, - times of peace and prosperity.
Your Excellencies,
Thank you for your kind attention.