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Check against delivery During the Security Council trip in August this year many of us had an opportunity to see the improvised memorial at the Schiphol airport dedicated to the victims of MH17. No one who has seen the place, with its messages of grief, longing, and love, can ever forget the emotion.  I would like to take this opportunity to once again express my country’s heartfelt condolences to the families in The Netherlands, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Philippines, New Zealand and Canada who lost their loved ones in the downing of MH17.  To quote The Netherlands Prime Minister, "We owe it to the victims’ next of kin to do everything in our power .... to achieve clarity about the circumstances of this tragedy, and to bring those responsible to justice." 

Resolution 2166, adopted by this Council in response to the tragedy, demands a full, thorough and independent international investigation in accordance with international civil aviation guidelines to establish circumstances of the downing. It also demands to hold those responsible for the incident to account. Full implementation of this resolution must be assured. There can be no impunity to the perpetrators of this horrific crime. 

Lithuania welcomes the preliminary findings of the independent investigation under the leadership of the Dutch Safety Board, with the participation of a dozen countries and agencies. ICAO was consulted to ensure that investigation strictly complies with international standards and practices. 

As we know, the purpose of this investigation is to establish facts with an end to ensuring the prevention of such accidents and incidents in the future. The investigation does not see to apportion blame or liability in respect of any party and is still ongoing. 

All attempts to interfere with influence, or put pressure on this investigation are inappropriate and totally unacceptable. International experts must be able to carry out their work free of political pressures and attempts to sway the investigation results. 

At the same time, we reiterate our concern about intermittent access to the crash site which is in the hands of the pro-Russian insurgents. These illegal armed groups carry full responsibility for the successful completion of this investigation, including full unhindered access to evidence and the remains that are still there in the field. 

Madam President, 

While some are trying to cast doubt on the independence and integrity of the preliminary investigation, Ukraine’s creeping invasion continues. Nearly 400 incidents of violation of the cease-fire regime by the insurgents have been registered since the cease-fire came into effect.

Reports on the lawlessness, extrajudiciary executions, and systematic human rights violations in the rebel held areas abound.

A second Russian “aid” convoy crossed sovereign Ukraine's borders in the dark of night, without Ukraine's consent, some two hundred unchecked trucks, while at the same time armed separatists prevent Ukraine's official humanitarian aid from reaching the area they control. A third convoy roughly the same size is heading towards Ukraine again without Ukraine’s agreement or request. We have become so inured to such violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity that it does not make news any more.

Russian borders continue to be completely open to the flow of mercenaries, arms and heavy weaponry. OSCE MM reports about some 12,000 Cossacks have volunteered to join the “Lugansk People’s Republic” forces. How is that compatible with the ceasefire? How is the creation in Donbass of a “unified army of Novorossiya” compatible with the ceasefire?

Russian soldiers fight against Ukraine on Ukraine's soil while those who investigate their deaths are attacked and intimidated, their mothers denied the truth about the circumstances of their deaths.

The situation of Crimean Tatars for whom Crimea is the only place they can call their homeland continues to deteriorate. They are being increasingly persecuted, their homes raided, documents seized, their leaders banned from returning home, their Mejlis impounded, seven offices of Crimean Tatar foundation “Crimea” and other property are to be confiscated. More than 17,000 people from Crimea – mostly Tatars – have become IDPs in other parts of UA since the annexation.

While Ukraine's government is proposing amnesty to the rebels and offering extensive autonomy, self-proclaimed leaders of the illegal armed groups insist on fighting 'to the end". 

These are only some of the inconvenient truths that should be gleened through the smokescreen of concerns about the investigation. 

Madam President, 

An undeclared war against the sovereign state of Ukraine is at the root of the tragedy of MH17. The ultimate responsibility for the tragic loss of nearly 300 passenger lives as well as for the massive destruction, deaths and displacement of population in eastern Ukraine lies with those who, driven by the dangerous ambition to redraw the borders of modern Europe, continue to fuel that war, in spite of the ceasefire and the various agreements reached. 

The people of Ukraine, whose unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable, have the right to determine their future without any foreign interference. The people of Ukraine have made their choice, and Russia's continued aggression will only reinforce that choice. 

We welcome the commitment of the Government of Ukraine to continue pursuing the path of reforms as expressed by ratification of the Association Agreement with the EU in its Rada. 

I thank you, Madam President.