Lithuania called on Russia to engage in meaningful dialogue with Ukraine
28 May, New York. “The people of Ukraine have spoken. The overwhelming majority of Ukraine’s citizens, including those in the east and south of the country, see their future in a united and democratic Ukraine”, - said Lithuania‘s Permanent Representative to the United Nations ambassador Raimonda Murmokaitė, commenting on the results of 25 May presidential election in Ukraine and expressing support for the President-elect.
While noting the indications by Russia’s leaders that they would respect the outcome of Ukraine's Presidential vote, Lithuania’s ambassador called on Russia to turn the words into actions. She stressed that Russia should discard its propaganda war against Ukraine and engage in a genuine and meaningful dialogue. Lithuania’s representative reiterated the call on Russia to fully withdraw its troops from the Ukrainian border, stop the flow of arms and foreign fighters into Ukrainian territory, put an end to violations of Ukraine‘s borders and airspace, denounce and condemn militant separatist actions in Eastern Ukraine.
The Lithuanian ambassador noted with concern that Crimea’s occupation led to growing numbers of internally displaced persons in Ukraine. She also condemned criminal acts against OSCE observers and demanded their immediate and unconditional release, emphasized that Ukraine had legitimate right to defend its statehood and territorial integrity from illegal separatist groups that continuously commit.
Lithuania’s representative to the UN noted that challenges facing the new President and government of Ukraine were significant due to decades of neglect and pervasive corruption. Restoring the rule of law and rebuilding trust among the citizens, regions, and between citizens and their government, by implementing comprehensive political and economic reforms is therefore essential. According to the ambassador, national dialogue meetings and the recently adopted “Memorandum on Peace and Concord" offer a good ground for inclusiveness and involvement of the widest groups of society in the country‘s endeavour to overcome the legacy of the past.
Lithuanian ambassador stressed Ukraine's legitimate right to defend its statehood and territorial integrity from illegal separatist groups which had taken up arms against their own country and demonstrated utter disdain for its Constitution, its laws, and its people. She also reiterated Lithuania‘s continued commitment to Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and readiness to support Ukraine‘s new leadership and the people of Ukraine in their democratic reforms.
A UN Security Council meeting was convened to discuss the outcome of the presidential election in Ukraine. During the meeting Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman briefed the Security Council on the latest developments in the country. He welcomed the free and fair presidential election and expressed support to the elected President.
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