North Atlantic Council
The North Atlantic Council released the following on March 18.
1. Five years ago, Russia used force against Ukraine to illegally and illegitimately annex Crimea. This violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is a serious breach of international law and a major challenge to Euro-Atlantic security. We strongly condemn this act, which we do not and will not recognize. We call on Russia to return control of Crimea to Ukraine. We reiterate our full support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and territorial waters. Crimea is the territory of Ukraine.
2. Allies are deeply concerned by the human rights abuses and violations being carried out by the Russian de-facto authorities in illegally annexed Crimea against Ukrainians, the Crimean Tatars, and members of other local communities. These violations include extrajudicial killings, abductions, enforced disappearances, violence, arbitrary detentions, arrest, and torture. Despite the 2017 Order of the International Court of Justice, the Mejlis, the Crimean Tatars’ self-governing body, remains under persecution and is banned in its homeland.
3. NATO calls on Russia to bring an immediate end to all violations and abuses in illegally annexed Crimea, to release Ukrainian political prisoners and hostages, and to grant international monitoring organizations access to Crimea. Any attempts to legitimize or normalize the illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea must end, including the automatic imposition of Russian citizenship, forced population movements, conscription in the armed forces of the Russian Federation, and illegal holding of Russian election campaigns.
4. We condemn Russia’s ongoing and wide-ranging military build-up in Crimea, and are concerned by Russia’s efforts and stated plans for further military build-up in the Black Sea region. We also condemn Russia’s construction of the Kerch Strait bridge, which represents another violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is imposing additional hardship on Ukraine’s economy. Russia’s unjustified use of military force against Ukrainian ships and naval personnel near the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait in November 2018 is part of the larger pattern of Russian aggressive actions in the region. In line with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 73/194 from 17 December 2018, we call on Russia to unconditionally release the Ukrainian crew members it detained, to return the captured vessels and to comply with its international commitments by ensuring unhindered access to Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov and allowing freedom of navigation.
6. NATO’s response to address Russia’s illegal actions in Ukraine has been alongside and in support of an overall international effort, which has included sanctions. There can be no return to “business as usual” until there is a clear, constructive change in Russia’s actions that demonstrates compliance with international law and its international obligations and responsibilities.
U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office
The United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued this statement on March 18.
Five years ago, Russia illegally annexed the peninsula of Crimea in a blatant land grab from Ukraine. Russia seized key parliamentary and police buildings from the Ukrainian authorities and then ran a sham referendum in an attempt to legitimize its actions.
Once President Putin signed an illegal decree to absorb Crimea into Russia, the Russian authorities ran illegitimate “elections” and imposed Russian citizenship, Russian law and military conscription on everyone living in this part of Ukraine.
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said:
“I condemn the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, five years ago. The U.K. will never recognize Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and we call on Russia to end their illegitimate control of the peninsula and their attempts to redraw the boundaries of Europe. Russia’s pattern of unacceptable behavior has continued with their supply of weapons and personnel to the conflict it initiated in eastern Ukraine, the illegal construction of a bridge connecting mainland Russia with Crimea, and their relentless attempts to monopolize the Kerch Strait in a campaign intended to undermine Ukraine’s economy and demoralize its citizens.
“Russia continues to commit human rights violations beyond its borders by systematically persecuting those who voice their opposition to the illegal annexation of Crimea. I call for the immediate release of all Ukrainian political prisoners, who are being held in Crimea and Russia without access to international monitoring organizations or essential medical treatment. Russia must also immediately release the 24 Ukrainian servicemen, who were detained whilst lawfully attempting to sail through the Kerch Strait.
“We join NATO and the EU in condemning Russia’s unjustified use of force on Ukrainian vessels in November last year. The U.K., along with our EU and G7 partners, remains unwavering in our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Crimea is Ukraine.”
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne issued the following on March 18.
Australia stands united with our partners in opposition to Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine, five years after its illegal annexation of Crimea.
Together with the United States, the United Kingdom and other European Union member states, and Canada, we are strong supporters of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Today I announce targeted financial sanctions and travel bans against seven Russian individuals for their role in the interception and seizure of Ukrainian naval vessels that were attempting to pass through the Kerch Strait. Australia is concerned by this escalation of tensions in the Sea of Azov in November 2018.
Australia condemns the aggression and calls on Russia to release the detained Ukrainian sailors and seized vessels without delay. We also call on Russia to allow free and unencumbered passage of Ukrainian and international ships through the Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov.
Australia does not recognize any actions seeking to legitimize the annexation of Crimea or the secession of parts of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
I have therefore also imposed targeted financial sanctions and travel bans against three “leaders” from separatist-controlled parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine following so-called elections in November 2018.
Details of these 10 individuals are in DFAT’s Consolidated List of individuals and entities subject to targeted sanctions under Australian law. This list is available on DFAT’s website.
We call on Russia to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, including its territorial waters.