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Statement by Lithuania on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries on the resolution of the UN General Assembly 76th session the “Problem of the militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov” on December 9, 2021.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of eight Nordic and Baltic countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Norway, Sweden and my own country Lithuania. 

Let  me  reiterate  our  support  for  the  sovereignty  and  territorial  integrity  of  Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. We continue to condemn in the strongest possible  terms  Russia’s  aggression  against  Ukraine  and  the  illegal  annexation  of Crimea. Our policy of non-recognition remains firm. 

We  support  the  diplomatic  efforts  aimed  at  restoring  Ukraine's  sovereignty  and territorial  integrity  within  its  internationally  recognised  borders.  We  welcome  the establishment of the International Crimean Platform launched at the inaugural Summit that  took  place  on  23  August  and  its  aim  to  peacefully  end  Russia’s  temporary occupation  and  to  restore  control  of  Ukraine  over  Crimea  in  full  accordance  with international law.

As stated in the resolution, we are deeply concerned about the increased militarization of  the  Crimean  Peninsula  by  the  Russian  Federation.  This  includes  in  particular the transfers  of  highly  destabilizing  weapons  systems  and  military  personnel  to Crimea, multiple military exercises, the construction of vessels, closure of parts of the Black Sea to non-Russian military and government ships, restriction of international shipping  in  the  Kerch  Strait,  including  interfering  and  blocking  navigation  both  for commercial vessels going to and from ports of Ukraine, as well as government ships sailing  under  various  flags.  All  this  further  exacerbates  tensions  in  the  region  and beyond.  We  urge  the  Russian  Federation  to  stop  such  activity  and  to  refrain  from impeding the lawful exercise of navigational rights and freedoms in accordance with international law. 

In  addition,  the  escalatory  nature  of  Russia’s  military  buildup  around  the  Ukrainian borders (with over 100,000 troops, military equipment, air and naval units) is deeply worrying.  We  urge  the  Russian  Federation  to  de-escalate  tensions  by  withdrawing forces. We also call on the international community to stay focused on this issue.

We are furthermore concerned about the human rights violations in Crimea, targeting primarily the Crimean Tatars. We condemn the continuing persecution by the Russian Federation of the Crimean Tatars and their leaders, and call for the immediate release of those illegally detained and imprisoned. 

We repeat the calls of the international community for unhindered access to the areas currently  not  under  the  control  of Ukraine,  including  the  Crimean  Peninsula,  to  be given to the international organisations and human rights monitoring bodies. 

As we have stated on numerous occasions, Russia must withdraw its military forces from Crimea and end its illegal annexation of Crimea without delay.

We do not and will not recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia. It has detrimental consequences and constitutes a direct challenge to international security with  grave  implications  for  multilateralism  and  the  global  order  that  protects  the territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty of all States. 

I thank you.