No security in Europe until Russia stops its aggression - Kyiv

No security in Europe until Russia stops its aggression - Kyiv

Kyiv said in a statement there can be no security and stability in Europe unless Russia stops its belligerent foreign policy aimed at redrawing borders and reinstating Cold War spheres of influence. Russia "bears full responsibility for the deterioration of security and the dire human rights situation in occupied Donbas and Crimea," the statement reads. "We welcome the G7 reiteration of its condemnation of the illegal attempted annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea by Russia. This illegal annexation has led to repressions, widespread human rights violations, as well as discrimination of the Crimean Tatars and ethnic Ukrainians. Russia must uphold all of its obligations under international law as an occupying power. In particular it must ensure full respect of human rights in the occupied Crimea and the city of Sevastopol," the ministry said. According to the statement, militarization of the Crimean peninsula and its use for Russian military operations in Syria constitutes a grave threat to European security. "It also goes against international efforts to bring peace to the Middle East," the statement reads. Kyiv also welcomed the G7's renewed commitment to the implementation of the Minsk Agreements and recognition that Russia must live up to its commitments: to cease fire, to withdraw its troops from the territory of Ukraine and to return Ukraine the control over its international border.