Ukraine reminded the OSCE of the choice of its own future
Ukraine, as a sovereign state, has the right to freely choose its own security.
According to Ukrinform’s own correspondent, the Ukrainian mission to the OSCE stressed this during the Organization for Security Co-operation Forum in Vienna on Wednesday.
We consider it completely unacceptable that the Russian leadership continues to cover up its aggressive actions with the so-called “need to protect national interests.” that Ukraine, as a sovereign state, has the right to freely choose its own security, “the Ukrainian delegation said.
It was declared that this is a “fundamental principle of European security”. “And this is a principle that Russia has signed and must respect,” the Ukrainian mission added.
Ukrainian diplomats have informed foreign counterparts that the Russian Federation continues to use reinforced troops along the border with Ukraine. Thus, 40 battalion tactical groups of the RF Armed Forces are deployed as part of a possible next operation. The total number of Russian troops along the border, in the temporarily occupied Crimea and eastern Ukraine is 115 thousand servicemen, including 93 thousand servicemen in the land forces and 22 thousand in the navy and air forces. The group includes 1,200 tanks, 1,600 artillery systems, 330 aircraft and 240 helicopters.
The number of troops stationed in the region is clear that the threat to European security is becoming the same as the Russian Federation, not Ukraine or its security partners. The rattling of weapons has always been an instrument of Russia’s behavior towards the neighboring country. The statement by President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov is worrying that the current tensions could escalate into a real war, “the Ukrainian mission said.
With regard to Ukraine, she called on Russia to abide by its OSCE and OSCE commitments in accordance with the principle of this State or its application against any territorial integrity or political independence.
“Ukraine calls on the Russian Federation to add information on its military activities in connection with the state border with Ukraine, to take measures to allay concerns about military activities and to de-escalate the situation,” Ukrainian diplomats said.
As Ukrinform reported, on December 1, Russia offered to start talks on achieving legal guarantees for NATO’s non-expansion to the east.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the minister was unlikely to reach such an agreement and resolve Russia’s assurance that Ukraine would not join NATO. He will be the only Ukrainian people to decide where and how Ukraine will move.