Statement of Minister Daniel Mitov on the situation in Ukraine
25 August 2014 News
We strongly condemn the kidnapping and brutal killing of Mykola Zelenec, Lithuania's Honorary Consul in Luhansk, and express our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. We call for a fair investigation in order to bring those responsible for this atrocity to justice.
Condemning this act, we call once again for urgent steps to stop the bloodshed in Ukraine, find a sustainable political solution and achieve lasting peace. This subsequent murder of a civilian confirms the urgent need to take the necessary steps towards de-escalation of tensions supported by all parties in the conflict.
We hope that the forthcoming August 26 meeting of the presidents of Ukraine and Russia, which will also be attended by the EU's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, will pave the way for peace and stability in Ukraine. Bulgaria expects the Russian side to support this process, including by refraining from actions destabilizing the situation in Ukraine.
In this context, we emphasize that the situation is not improved by the passage of Russian convoys in Ukraine without authorization from the legitimate authorities. This constitutes a direct breach of Ukrainian law and the international standards for the provision of humanitarian aid. It violates the March 27 resolution of the UN General Assembly, which calls on the parties to refrain from unilateral actions and provocative statements that could increase tensions and engage with international mediation efforts.
Any humanitarian aid should be delivered in accordance with the humanitarian principles while fully respecting Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Any unilateral actions by the Russian Federation only escalate tensions and limit the chances of finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis.