Cyprus and Greece joined another 40 countries in a press statement in support of Ukraine, on Monday.
Speaking on behalf of Ukraine and a total of 42 countries (Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom), Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marianna Betsa, marked the third anniversary of Russia’s illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing the “steadfast condemnation” of this “flagrant violation of international law.”
Betsa stressed that in an evolving geopolitical environment, the UN General Assembly’s call for peace in Ukraine sends a strong message. The General Assembly demanded the “immediate end of the war” and a “just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in line with the UN Charter”. Additionally, she reiterated the urgent need to end the war this year, and to redouble diplomatic efforts to achieve such peace.
She highlighted the importance of the UN General Assembly reaffirming its support for international law, state sovereignty, and territorial integrity as defined in the UN Charter. She warned that any peace settlement “that may reward aggression increases the risk for any country to face a similar attack,” creating a dangerous precedent for the future and undermining the principles of international law and national sovereignty.
The joint statement condemned Russia’s failure to comply with the General Assembly’s resolutions and reiterated the call for an end to the war and the immediate, full, and unconditional withdrawal of all Russian troops and military equipment from Ukrainian territory within its internationally recognized borders. Furthermore, it demanded the immediate cessation of hostilities by Russia, with particular emphasis on stopping attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Betsa reaffirmed the commitment to accountability regarding the serious crimes committed on Ukrainian territory in the context of Russian aggression. She recalled the March 2022 decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which obliges Russia to “immediately suspend its military operations in Ukraine.”
The statement concluded with the unwavering confirmation of support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, including its territorial waters.
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Source: CNA
