The Ukrainian diaspora’s umbrella organizations around the globe released the following statements on October 2.
President Zelenskyy must not cross red lines
UWC
The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) is troubled by the lack of clarity and transparency on the deal that was struck during the recent meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk on October 1, 2019. The UWC calls on Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to maintain a clear and unequivocal position that:
1) No elections can take place in the Russian-occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts until all Russian troops, mercenaries, weapons and materiel are withdrawn from Ukrainian territory, Ukraine regains complete control of the Ukrainian side of the Ukraine-Russia border and the displaced residents of Donbas are able to peacefully return to their homes.
2) Ukraine’s strategic course for Euro-Atlantic and NATO integration, as set out in Ukraine’s Constitution, is non-negotiable and immutable.
3) Ukraine will continue to stress to foreign governments that international sanctions on Russia must be strengthened and expanded until Russia de-occupies sovereign Ukrainian territory of Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.
The UWC is deeply concerned with the lack of clarity on what Ukraine is prepared to agree to under the so-called “Steinmeier formula,” a political concession that Russia has demanded. President Zelenskyy made the concession in exchange for a meeting of the leaders of the Normandy Format countries (Ukraine, Germany, France and Russia), without any indication that Russia would implement the security provisions in the Minsk agreements that Russia is obligated to carry out, including the withdrawal of Russian troops, weapons and materiel from Ukrainian territory.
On October 1, he also announced that Ukraine’s Law on the special provisions of local self-government in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, which expires December 31, 2019, would be replaced by a new law, but did not voice any specifics or details about the new draft legislation.
On September 7, President Zelenskyy acceded to the Russian demand that a key suspect in the downing of MH-17 held in Ukrainian custody, Volodymyr Tsemakh, be included in a prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia.
Moreover, senior Ukrainian officials have recently made seemingly contradictory and ambiguous statements on what precisely the administration is willing to accept as a compromise to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.
“Agreeing to any Russian demands during the summit of the Normandy leaders that Ukraine hold elections on territory under Russian occupation, or that Ukraine change its strategic course of NATO and EU integration, are red lines that President Zelenskyy must not cross,” stated Paul Grod, president of the UWC. “Crossing these lines will have grave consequences for his presidency, Ukraine’s sovereignty, and the future of peace in Europe.”
President Zelenskyy must not agree to Russia’s demands
UCCA
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, announced on October 1 that at the recent meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk, Ukraine agreed to abide by “the so-called Steinmeier formula.” The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), the largest representative organization of Americans of Ukrainian descent, joins with the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) in asking for clarity and transparency from the government of Ukraine regarding any agreement to hold elections in areas of Ukraine currently occupied by Russia.
As stated in UCCA’s open letter to President Zelenskyy following his election, UCCA maintains the Ukrainian American community’s longstanding principle regarding the territorial integrity of Ukraine, which includes the lawful return of territories occupied by Russian forces.
UCCA therefore reaffirms that Ukraine must never agree to Russian demands regarding Ukrainian elections, or Ukraine’s constitutionally mandated strategic course of NATO and EU integration. To that end, Ukraine must maintain a clear and unequivocal position that:
1) No elections can take place in the Russian-occupied regions of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts until all Russian troops, mercenaries, weapons and materiel are withdrawn from Ukrainian territory, Ukraine regains complete control of the Ukrainian side of the Ukraine-Russia border and the displaced residents of Donbas are able to peacefully return to their homes; any elections held in Ukraine must stand in accord with the constitution and laws of Ukraine.
2) Ukraine’s strategic course for Euro-Atlantic and NATO integration, as set out in Ukraine’s Constitution, is non-negotiable and immutable.
3) International sanctions on Russia must be strengthened and expanded until Russia de-occupies sovereign Ukrainian territory, including Crimea and regions of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.
4) Following the complete withdrawal of covert and overt Russian forces and equipment from Ukraine, the international community which had tolerated Russia’s occupation of Ukraine must provide remedial support to individuals and communities traumatized by five years of exposure to Soviet-style propaganda and hate speech while living under Russian occupation; such efforts would include funding community bridge-building, psychosocial counseling and peace-building resources to strengthen local capacities for reconciliation.
“Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine, which include Crimea and regions of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, were, are and will be integral parts of independent Ukraine,” stated UCCA President Andriy Futey. “Before any elections take place in these regions, we must make every effort to return these territories to the control of Ukraine, including by securing a strong international coalition to support Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence… We cannot agree to any Russian demands during the Normandy meetings. There are red lines that President Zelenskyy must not cross,” concluded Mr. Futey.
Ukraine’s independence, territorial integrity are non-negotiable
UCC
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) calls on Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to make clear to the Ukrainian people and the international community that Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity are non-negotiable.
On October 1, President Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine has acceded to Russia’s demands to accept the so-called “Steinmeier formula,” the details of which are unclear and can be open to interpretation, in exchange for a meeting of the leaders of the Normandy Format countries (Ukraine, Germany, France, Russia).
“Many citizens of Ukraine and Ukrainians abroad are very troubled by President Zelenskyy’s concession to Russian conditions to hold a summit meeting,” stated Alexandra Chyczij, national president of the UCC. “President Zelenskyy needs to make clear that Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity are non-negotiable.”
This announcement follows President Zelenskyy’s agreement to Russia’s demands to include Volodymyr Tsemakh in the prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia that took place on September 7. Tsemakh, a key suspect in the downing of Flight MH-17, which was shot down by the Russian military over occupied eastern Ukraine in July 2014, was held in Ukrainian custody until being released to Russia.
The UCC calls on President Zelenskyy to ensure that:
1) No elections take place in the Russian-occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts until all Russian troops, mercenaries, weapons and materiel are withdrawn from Ukrainian territory and Ukraine regains complete control of the Ukrainian side of the Ukraine-Russia border.
2) Ukraine’s strategic course for Euro-Atlantic and NATO integration, as set out in Ukraine’s Constitution, is non-negotiable and immutable.
3) Ukraine will continue to stress to foreign governments that international sanctions on Russia must be strengthened and expanded until Russia de-occupies sovereign Ukrainian territory of Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.