The statement below was released by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of American on June 8.
The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), the representative organization for over 1.5 million Americans of Ukrainian descent, strongly denounces the suggestion made today by President Donald Trump, in which he called for Russia to be reinstated into the group of the world’s largest advanced economies: the G-7.
Although Russia had been previously included in the so-called G-8 summits since 1997, the G-7 rightly canceled a planned June 2014 summit in the Russian city of Sochi, following the first forced annexation Europe had seen since the second world war. In canceling the planned summit, the G-7 countries issued the Hague Declaration, which sternly rebuked Russia’s actions in Ukraine:
“International law prohibits the acquisition of part or all of another state’s territory through coercion or force. To do so violates the principles upon which the international system is built. We condemn the illegal referendum held in Crimea in violation of Ukraine’s Constitution. We also strongly condemn Russia’s illegal attempt to annex Crimea in contravention of international law and specific international obligations. We do not recognize either… Today, we reaffirm that Russia’s actions will have significant consequences. This clear violation of international law is a serious challenge to the rule of law around the world and should be a concern for all nations.”
Russia not only blatantly violated the U.N. Charter with its invasion of Ukrainian sovereign territory – and continues in daily violation by its ongoing military occupation – but also violated the Helsinki Final Act, the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, and at least two bilateral agreements between Russia and Ukraine.
UCCA calls for unity of the G-7 nations in upholding the international norms of the post-World War II security order. Only through continued international pressure will the Russian Federation be persuaded to cease violating international law, and remove itself from all internationally recognized Ukrainian territory.
Until the Russian Federation ceases its actions in Ukraine, which contravene the principles and values on which the G-7 operate, Russia must remain suspended from membership into the group of the world’s largest advanced economies.