Statement by Arseniy Yatsenyuk to the UN Security Council in New York

It’s a great pleasure and honour to address the main organization that is responsible for peace, stability and security in the world. As far as I know this is the 6th extraordinary meeting of the UN Security Council. You’re well aware what’s on the ground, but let me additionally inform about the last and latest developments in Ukraine. My country has faced a military aggression of a neighbouring country which is a P-5 member.

This aggression has no reasons and no grounds. This is absolutely and entirely unacceptable in the twenty–first century to resolve any kind of conflict with tanks, artillery and boots on the ground.

The Russian Federation has violated a number of bilateral and multilateral treaties that were signed between Ukraine and Russia.

We strongly believe that Article 2 of the UN Charter which says: “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations” is not questioned by anyone.

We still believe that we have a chance to resolve this conflict in a peaceful manner. And we command and praise Ukrainian military that refrained from use of any force.

We would like to be very clear saying that the military presence is clearly identified. This is the Russian military presence with the Russian number plates on their vehicles.

And we urge Russian Federation to pull back its military forces deployed Crimea to barracks and to start real talks and negotiations in order to tackle this conflict.

This is not the regional conflict, this conflict goes beyond the borders of Ukraine. Let me remind you that in 1994 Ukraine abandoned its nuclear weapon, we gave up one of the biggest [it was the third one in the world] arsenal of nuclear weapons. And under the Budapest Memorandum the signatories of this Memorandum guaranteed the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukrainian state.

The way our Russian neighbours- and I believe if we start real talks with Russia, they could be real partners- acted, undermines global security and nuclear non-proliferation regime; as after these actions it would be very difficult to convince anyone in the globe not to have nuclear weapon.

I would like to reiterate again that the Ukrainian government is absolutely open. We want to have talks. We don’t want to have of any kind of military aggression.

And let me address the Russian Federation: “I would like to address Russian Federation. We are looking for an answer to the question whether the Russians want war. I am convinced as Prime Minister of the country that had maintained warm and friendly relations with Russia- the Russian people don’t want war. And I express hope that the Russian government and the Russian president would heed the will of its people, we would sit at the table of negotiations and immediately resolve this conflict.

Final address

Mr. President, distinguished members of the Security Council,

So let me thank you for your unconditional support of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of my country. That is really great and I’ll deliver this message to the Ukrainian people that all except one support the independence and territorial integrity of my country.

We still believe that we can find the peaceful solution. My government is committed to execute all international obligations and we adhere to all bilateral and multilateral treaties that Ukraine signed and ratified.

Crimea was, is and will be an integral part of Ukraine. We will never recognize any kind of hand-made and artificial, and falsified so-called referendums.

We are ready to hold a nation-wide dialogue in order to increase the powers of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea - in the Ukrainian parliament through the constitutional means and tools.

We will protect and defend every minority in my country. We stick to the principle of the Ukrainian constitution that says that except Ukrainian language the only language that is indicated in the Article 10 of the Ukrainian constitution is a Russian one.

We will protect everyone who is the Ukrainian citizen.

And we want to be very clear saying that this government is ready for an open dialogue. We extended our hand to Russia, but instead we got a barrel.

But we still believe that Russia is ready to negotiate and is ready to tackle this dramatic conflict not only in our bilateral relations but in the entire Europe with the peaceful means.

What we ask for? We ask for truth. The history will judge us. We have a chance to make this history. We will do whatever we can in order to preserve the peace and stability. And in order to save my country.

Thank you.