28 March, 2014

The UN General Assembly’s approval on March 27, 2014 of the resolution “On the territorial integrity of Ukraine" demonstrated full support of Ukraine by the international community in the face of armed aggression by the Russian Federation and the annexation of the territory of the country: 100 countries voted for the resolution, and 47 countries became its co-authors. 

This resolution not only confirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, but also provides protection from any illegal attempts to change the borders of Ukraine, including by means of the threat or use of force. The international community unequivocally reaffirmed the inadmissibility of acceptance of any changes in the status of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol based on the illegal “referendum” of March 16. 

The vote also revealed that due to gross violations of all possible rules of international law, including of the Charter of the United Nations, Russia found itself in international isolation, not only in European organizations - the OSCE and Council of Europe - but also at a global level. 

Some states, subjected to pressure and intimidation by the Russian side, voted contrary to the UN Charter and the fundamental principles of international law.  Subsequent conclusions will be based on the analysis of the positions of all States. The position of some of these States will leave  Ukraine no choice but to take concrete steps that will effect bilateral relations, including interaction within international organizations.