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Mr. President, Lithuania condemns in the strongest terms the invasion of Ukraine’s territory by the armed forces of the Russian Federation as an open and blatant violation of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a serious blow to peace, security and stability across the entire region and well beyond.

For months we have watched countless violations of Ukraine’s unity and territorial integrity, first by Crimea’s annexation, then the war initiated by Russia-supported fringe separatist groups in eastern Ukraine, including mercenaries from Chechnya and elsewhere, then provocative manipulation of humanitarian aid using semi-empty “humanitarian” trucks, then soldiers “lost” on the other side of the border, and now Russian tanks rolling over Ukraine’s sovereign territory.

Within the last day, troops from the Russian 98th guards airborn division from Ivanovo reportedly have taken over the Ukrainian city of Novoazovsk. Denying such facts in the age of google earth and similar visual imagery is simply absurd.

“There are active soldiers fighting among us who preferred to spend their vacation not on the beach, but with us, among their brothers, who are fighting for their freedom,” Aleksandr Zakharchenko, a rebel commander and the self-proclaimed prime minister of a non-existent Donetsk People’s Republic, boasted in an interview on Russian state-run television, adding that there were some 3000-4000 Russians among the separatists ranks.

A member of Russian President’s advisory council on human rights, Ella Polyakova, said on Thursday she believed Russia was carrying out an invasion of Ukraine: "When masses of people, under commanders' orders, on tanks, APCs and with the use of heavy weapons, (are) on the territory of another country, cross the border, I consider this an invasion.”

Such actions by the Russian Federation are a gross violation of the UN Charter, in particular paragraph 4 of Article 2, and other fundamental principles and norms of international law, including the Helsinki Final Act, the 1997 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Russia and Ukraine, and the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, whereby Ukraine renounced its nuclear weapons in exchange for security guarantees. Specifically, Budapest Memorandum’s Articles 1 and 2 impose clear-cut obligations on Russia to respect the political independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its existing borders of 1994, and not to threaten it or use force by any means.

By now, this Council has held close to 30 meetings on Ukraine. We have heard numerous assurances by Russia here and elsewhere regarding its wish for a solution to the crisis in Ukraine. All this time, however, instead of seeking that solution, Russia has been escalating the situation, as the flow of weapons, equipment, mercenaries and now troops continues across Russia’s border into the territory of Ukraine.

Let us be clear: had it not been for Russia’s continuous support, the illegal separatists, a clear minority in the region they claim to represent, would have long run out of steam and weaponry. Eastern Ukraine would have been coming back on its feet, IDP flows would have stopped, no more lives would have been lost.

Mr. President,

This conflict has claimed too many lives. Even moderate estimates show there are over 2 200 killed since April. OCHA speaks of over the 200.000 IDPs and around 3.9 million affected people living in areas directly affected by conflict as of 15 August. We must make sure all those who caused this tragedy must be held account.

People are dying in Ukraine because of the criminal acts by the illegal separatists and their Russian supporters. Russians are also losing their lives in this criminal war against the state of Ukraine. As reported by various sources, the mothers of Russian soldiers are seeking answers regarding their loved ones, at least a four hundred dead. Journalists who are trying to report on mysterious graves in Pskov are being threatened. How many more lives need to be lost and maimed for Russia to realize/admit the folly of its aggression against Ukraine?

Ukraine does not need more Russian “humanitarian” convoys, tanks, troops, and rearmament of separatist bands. What Ukraine needs is an urgent return by Russia to the internationally accepted norms of behavior, compliance with international law, and respect for the UN Charter, for which Russia as a permanent member of this Council bears a special responsibility.

Lithuania strongly urges Russia to come back to its senses and to comply with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act; to immediately withdraw its military forces, weaponry and equipment from the sovereign state of Ukraine; to cease shelling Ukraine from the Russian territory, and to urgently end all support to the illegal armed separatist groups in the east of Ukraine.

President Poroshenko’s peace plan must be urgently implemented. As for the Geneva statement, whose non-implementation is often lamented by Russia- that statement, as well as any ceasefire, must be implemented by all sides, including the illegal separatists, and including Russia itself.

Anything less is a cynical demand for Ukraine’s unconditional surrender. Like any sovereign member of the United Nations, Ukraine does have the right to defend itself, as per Charter Article 51. That right cannot be taken by anyone. 

Mr. President,

For too long now we have watched this creeping attack against Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. And because it was happening one step at a time, our response has been like that of the proverbial boiling frog.

Once international laws get broken as they are vis-à-vis Ukraine, it would be naïve to think that such blatant disregard for international norms of behavior will not extend its creep. Do we want to take such risks?