Poroshenko proposes terminating treaty on friendship with Russia from April 1, 2019

This is stated in the explanatory note to bill No. 0206 on the termination of the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. 

"The purpose [of the bill] is to terminate the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian Federation in view of its continued substantial violation by the Russian Federation and in accordance with Article 40 of this Treaty," the document says.

It also notes that Russia's ongoing aggression caused significant violations of most articles of the treaty, and Ukraine systematically emphasizes this in diplomatic correspondence with Russia.

In addition, according to the note, a number of significant violations of the treaty became the subject of cases in international courts, which are still being considered.

"As of today, there are no signs of Russia's conscientious desire to eliminate offenses and compensate for the damage caused by its unlawful actions. Moreover, the Russian Federation, by its aggressive actions, constantly worsens the violation of the clauses of the Treaty," the explanatory note reads.

"In view of this and in pursuance of the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine dated September 6, 2018, 'On the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian Federation,' enacted by decree of the President of Ukraine No. 284 of September 17, 2018, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, with its note No. 72/23-612/2-2539 dated September 21, 2018, officially informed the Russian Federation of Ukraine's desire to terminate the effect of the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian Federation from April 1, 2019," reads the document. 

On September 17, President Petro Poroshenko enacted the decision of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council of September 6, 2018 to terminate the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and Russia.

It was envisaged that the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry should have informed Russia by September 30 about the termination of the May 31, 1997 Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

On September 22, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry sent a notification to Russia about non-extension of the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership.

The Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian Federation was signed in Kyiv on May 31, 1997. Under the terms of the treaty, the parties undertook, in particular, to "respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty" of both states and "reaffirmed the inviolability of existing borders between them."

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