Russia demonstrates total disregard for OSCE principles - Ukraine’s envoy

This was stated by Ukraine’s Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, Yevhenii Tsymbaliuk, according to an Ukrinform correspondent

Ukraine sees the decision of the Russian side as evidence of its unconstructive approach. It is a demonstration of Russia’s total disregard for the norms and principles on which the Organization is based, Tsymbaliuk said at an urgent meeting of OSCE participating states to discuss the situation of the Russian military buildup along the border with Ukraine.

The representative noted that Russia, despite calls from the international community, has consistently refused to provide Ukraine and other member states with reliable information about its military activities. At the same time, Moscow has been assuring others that there are no grounds for concern, as all maneuvers and military exercises are routine and purely of defensive nature.

Such a large buildup of armed forces in the areas adjacent to Ukraine cannot be considered normal military activity, Tsymbaliuk stressed. He noted that, from the bitter experience of 2014, when Russia attempted to annex Crimea and Sevastopol and started a conflict in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Ukraine knows that the threat of Russia's military aggression must not be underestimated.

The ambassador recalled that in its request, filed in line with the 2011 Vienna Document, Ukraine called on Russia to explain the objectives of its military activity near the Ukrainian border. However, the Russian side decided to snub the discussion of problematic issues.

Therefore, as Ukraine’s questions remain unanswered, the envoy called on Russia to take these concerns seriously and fulfill its commitments in accordance with the jointly agreed confidence- and security-building measures.

The diplomat stressed that today, against the background of an unprecedented likelihood of a large-scale military incursion, it is extremely important to de-escalate tensions and strengthen military transparency in the region.

However, he added, the Russian side has once again shown disrespect for the 2011 Vienna Document. Ukraine strongly condemns Russia's actions that lead to eroding transparency and predictability in military activity, according to the Ukrainian envoy.

Tsymbalyuk also recalled that in April 2021, Ukraine initiated the launch of a risk reduction mechanism in accordance with Section III of the Vienna Document. During a joint meeting of the two OSCE decision-making bodies on April 14, the EU member states prepared joint recommendations for Russia, which Moscow never followed.

The Ukrainian diplomat underlined that the development of the current military and security situation around Ukraine shows that none of these recommendations has even been taken into account in Russia. He added that, unfortunately, this is a clear indication of Russia's true attitude to OSCE institutions in general and to respected participating States.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on February 11, Ukraine officially activated the 2011 OSCE Vienna Document on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures and requested that Russia provide detailed clarifications on its military activities in the areas adjacent to Ukraine and in the temporarily occupied Crimea.

According to the provisions of the Vienna Document, the Russian Federation had to report the exact areas of military activity, the date of its completion, as well as the name, subordination, and number of military formations, types of weapons and military equipment involved.

However, Russia ignored the request. In this regard, Ukraine has applied the next element of the Vienna Document’s mechanism – a separate OSCE meeting to discuss the strengthening and movement of Russian troops.

The Russian side refused to take part in the said meeting.

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