“We call on Russia to cease its hostile disinformation campaign against Ukraine, to de-escalate tensions in and around Ukraine, and to withdraw without delay the forces and equipment it has stationed in the country without Ukraine’s consent.”
This quote comes from a statement issued by 37 countries and the European Union on Dec. 22. after a UN Security Council (UNSC) Arria-formula Meeting that was called by the Russian Federation.
The statement was issued by Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Montenegro, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Ukraine, and the EU.
What is an Arria-formula Meeting?
Arria-formula meetings are informal meetings that were introduced in the UN Security Council after the Cold War ended. They are a means to introduce vital witnesses and information to the Security Council faster than official systems and personnel can handle so that the UNSC can act faster in order to contribute to the resolution of situations and conflicts, according to a description on the UN Security Council website.
Why the meeting?
The Russian Federation announced an Arria Formula Meeting for Dec. 22 on the topic of “the situation with national minorities and glorification of Naziism in the Baltic and Black Sea [Ukraine] Regions”, according to the Russian Mission to the United Nations.
Russian disinformation
In the days running up to the meeting, the Twitter posts of the Russian Mission to the United Nations published multiple messages with references to “a growth of xenophobia against foreigners in Ukraine”, “a war on the Russian language” by Ukraine, “Forced Ukrainization” by the Kyiv authorities, “Detentions, arrests and identity checks on the basis of race and ethnicity” in Ukraine, and with the “indifference or even active participation of law enforcement officers.”
Concurrent with these statements, Russia published statements attributed to President Vladimir Putin conveying that Russia is a mediator in the Minsk peace process and not a participant, in spite of significant evidence presented by the UN, US, EU, OSCE and Ukraine that Russian officers planned and engaged in the invasion and occupation of Ukraine in 2014 and have been involved ever since. Disinformation?
Response to Russian disinformation
The 37 nations began their post-meeting statement with an agreement that important issues such as racism, violent extremism, xenophobia, persecution of minorities, international peace and stability deserve constructive and meaningful debate.
They continued to say that they regretted that Russia had misused the Arria Formula Meeting to disseminate disinformation and to make false accusations against UN member states. They accused Russia of trying to distract the international community away from “Russia’s own ongoing violations of international law, including violations of international human rights law, and abuses of human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
Russian actions violate international law
The nations reiterated that the actions of Russia in Russia and in Ukraine were in violation of international law, of global concern and contrary to Russia’s obligations and commitments under the UN Charter, the Paris Charter and the Helsinki Final Act.“ and that they increasingly threaten the security of Europe and the rules-based international order”.
Condemning the threats, attacks and killings in Russia on journalists, independent media workers, activists, linguistic minorities and ethnic minority groups, the nations stated that they are increasingly alarmed by what is happening in Russia and especially troubled by the present Russian military build-up in Crimea and near Ukraine’s borders.
Force can’t be used to solve disagreements
The 37 nations reminded Russia that the United Nations Charter prohibits the use of force or threats against the political independence or territorial integrity of any nation.
Solid support for Ukraine
“Any further military aggression against Ukraine would have massive consequences and a severe cost in response”, according to the 37 nations and the EU.
They strongly condemned the temporary occupation of Ukraine’s Donbas, stated that they reaffirm they do not recognise Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and they confirmed their unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine according to international law and agreements.
