The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has sent several notes of protest to the Russian Foreign Ministry over the termination by Russia of their bilateral agreements regarding the Russian Black Sea Fleet base in Crimea.
“Ukraine pointed out that such decisions by Russia are unlawful and do not comply with the requirements of the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties,” Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Yevhen Perebyinis said.
Kyiv reminded Russia of the need to follow the procedures established by the Vienna Convention, regarding the termination of agreements, he said. In particular, Moscow was to give a three-month notice to Kyiv about terminating the agreements, to allow Ukraine to express its protest within that period, he said.
“Ukraine expressed its protest on April 2 this year,” the spokesman said.
Russia breached the norms and principles of international law and carried out the illegal annexation of Crimea, he said.
“In accordance with the Vienna Convention, Russia has no right to cite the impossibility to perform or change of circumstance as a reason for terminating the effect of international agreements, if such actions are the result of its own breach of obligations under such agreements or other international obligations,” he said.
