*US Embassy in Moscow*
*Setting the Record Straight on Ukraine (March 4, 2014)*
Claim: We need to return to the February 21 agreement, which the
opposition failed to implement.
Response: As part of the agreement, the Ukrainian Parliament (the Rada)
passed a bill to return Ukraine to the 2004 Constitution. Under the terms
of the agreement, Yanukovych had 24 hours to sign this legislation, after
which the protesters would need to evacuate certain government buildings
and take other de-escalatory steps. Instead of signing the legislation,
Yanukovych left Kyiv and ultimately Ukraine. Yanukovych is the one who
failed to implement the February 21 agreement. Yanukovych's party has moved
on, voting in favor of legislation removing him from office and
establishing a new government.
- Ambassador Power: "It was Yanukovych who failed to abide by the
terms of that agreement, fleeing Kyiv, and ultimately Ukraine."
Claim: Ukraine's government is illegitimate or not representative.
Response: The new government was approved by the Rada with 371 votes, an
overwhelming majority of Ukraine's parliament, with the support of all
political parties except the Communists. Even Yanukovych's Party of
Regions (POR) voted in favor of the new government just days after he
disappeared. While POR is not represented in the current government, this
is a political decision and does not indicate lack of support for the
policies of the government. In fact, almost all legislation passed by
parliament since Yanukovych's departure has enjoyed majority support from
POR.
Claim: The Rada is under the influence of extremists or terrorists.
Response: The Rada is the most representative institution in Ukraine, and
recent legislation has passed with large majorities, including from
representatives of eastern Ukraine.
Claim: The streets of Kyiv are dangerous.
Response: Since the security forces pulled back 10 days ago and the new
government has been established, calm has returned to Kyiv. Ukrainian and
other media present report that there has been no surge in crime, no
looting, and no retribution exacted on political opponents.
Claim: There is a humanitarian crisis and hundreds of thousands are
fleeing Ukraine to Russia and seeking asylum.
Response: We have seen absolutely no evidence of this. The best means to
prevent such a crisis from happening would be to cease all provocative
actions and allow observers into the region to monitor and lower tensions.
- State Border Service of Ukraine: "Migration of Ukrainians
remained approximately at the same level that was one week, two, three
years ago."
http://www.unian.net/politics/892071-massovogo-vyiezda-ukraintsev-v-rossiyu-net-pogranichniki.html
Claim: Ethnic Russians are under threat.
Response: There are no confirmed reports of any ethnic Russians being
threatened, only allegations in the Russian press and on Russian state
television. The new Ukrainian government has placed a priority on peace
and reconciliation from the outset. President Turchinov refused to sign
the legislation limiting the use of the Russian language at regional level.
The U.S. and others, including the EU, have welcomed the Ukrainian
government's inclusive approach.
- Ambassador Power: "There is no evidence that ethnic Russians
are in danger. On the contrary, the new Ukrainian government has placed a
priority on internal reconciliation and political inclusivity. President
Turchinov - the acting President - has made clear his opposition to any
restriction on the use of the Russian tongue."
- Assistant Secretary Nuland: "The OSCE has the tools to address
any legitimate concerns with regard to security on the ground, with regard
to minority rights, and with regard to preparations for this democratic
transition to lead to free and fair elections."
- Kazakhstani MFA Spokesperson Zhanbolat Usenov: "Kazakhstan
calls on all parties to renounce options that imply the use of power and
make maximum political efforts to resolve the current crisis by means of
negotiations."
Claim: Russian bases are under threat.
Response: Russian military facilities were and remain secure, and the new
Ukrainian government has pledged to abide by all existing international
agreements, including those covering Russian bases.
- Ambassador Power: "The central issue is whether the recent
change of government in Ukraine constitutes a danger to Russia's legitimate
interests of such a nature and extent that Russia is justified in
intervening militarily in Ukraine, seizing control of public facilities,
and issuing military ultimatums to elements of the Ukrainian military. The
answer, of course, is no."
Claim: Kyiv is trying to destabilize Crimea.
Response: On the contrary, Russian troops moved out of their bases to
seize political objectives and infrastructure in Crimea. Ukraine's
government, in contrast, has acted with restraint and sought dialogue. The
government in Kyiv immediately sent the former Chief of Defense to defuse
the situation. The latest emissary, Petro Poroshenko, was prevented from
entering the Crimean Rada to talk.
Claim: There have been mass attacks on churches in Eastern Ukraine.
Response: We have seen no evidence of this. All of Ukraine's church
leaders, including representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, have
come out in support of the new political establishment, calling for
national unity and a period of healing.
- Ambassador Power: "There is no evidence, for example, that
churches in Eastern Ukraine are being or will be attacked; the allegation
is without basis."
- Eight Ukrainian churches and religious organizations issued an
appeal for peace and against foreign aggression; their letter is on the
website of The Institute for Religious Freedom of Ukraine at
http://t.co/CF31axsK8O. In it, they "call the Russian authorities to come
to senses and stop its aggression against Ukraine, and immediately pull out
Russian troops from the Ukrainian land." This letter was signed by
representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Catholic Church, other
Christian denominations, the Jewish faith, and the Muslim faith.
Claim: The Crimean "Prime Minister" invited Russian intervention.
Response: International law does not provide for use of force at the
invitation of a regional government. Under the Ukrainian Constitution,
only the Ukrainian Rada can approve the presence of foreign troops in
Ukrainian territory. Sergei Aksyonov's appeal to President Putin to
provide "peace and tranquility" in Crimea was a cynical exercise in
destabilization.
Claim: Russia's actions fall within the scope of the 1997 Friendship
Treaty between Ukraine and the Russian Federation.
Response: The 1997 agreement requires Russia to respect Ukraine's
territorial integrity. Russia's military actions in Ukraine are in clear
violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
- Assistant Secretary Nuland: "We consider Russia's actions in
Ukraine to be a ... breach of Russia's Helsinki Commitments and its UN
obligations."
- G7 Leaders statement: Russia's military actions are "in
contravention of Russia's obligations under the UN Charter and its 1997
basing agreement with Ukraine."
- Chinese MFA Spokesperson Qin Gang: "We respect the independence,
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine."
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