Respecting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity

It says: Jeffrey M. Havenier

During the Women's, Peace and Security Forum held in Pristina a few weeks ago, I joined the applause of hundreds of participants when President Osmani decorated Ukraine's women with the Presidential Medal of Merit. We were all touched by the words of Ukraine's MP, Yevgenia Cravchuk, who accepted the medal on their behalf. Z-nja Kravchuk confessed how President Putin's brutal, unwarranted attack has touched and continues to affect everyone's lives in Ukraine. She described the terrible air strikes in the peaceful cities of Ukraine and how Ukrainian children are growing up in wartime rather than going to school, they chose to go to shelters from bombing. In fact, Mr. Cravchuk noted that the moment she was speaking to us in Pristina, her daughter was in shelter to protect herself from air strikes.

Russia's conquest and ongoing aggression have caused terrible consequences to so many. We will continue to defend Ukraine's sovereignty in the United Nations and provide support to the people of Ukraine as Russia is doing everything in its power to undermine that sovereignty: forced expulsions and „filter operations, murder of civilians without trial, continued threats to life and livelihoods, and installation of Russian satellites. And we will continue to work with our allies and partners to impose costs on Russia.

The United States welcomed Kosovo's swift condemnation of the unprofessed and groundless Kremlin invasion and the expression of full solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Kosovo opened the doors to Ukrainians who found refuge here, including Ukrainian journalists currently living in Kosovo, many of whom were on stage to accept the medal from President Osmani. These journalists continue to bravely enable people around the world to access reliable and accurate information about what is happening in Ukraine.

Kosovo also immediately lined up with US and EU sanctions in support of Ukraine. Displaying her commitment again to be part of the world of free and sovereign democracies.

Our devotion to Ukraine is iron. Kremlin's actions in Ukraine present direct attacks on the UN Charter and its key principles: sovereignty, territorial integrity, peace and security for all major and small states. The United States and our partners and allies have long supported these principles, which are the foundation of international order built and supported by countries around the world since the end of World War II. By challenging these principles, Russia seeks to undermine the international system itself.

President Biden has said: „Bota has sent a clear message: Russia cannot erase a sovereign state from the map. Russia cannot change borders by force. Russia cannot capture the territory of another country as its own”.

The Kremlin's recent extinguishing referenda were nothing more than a false pretext to attempt annexing parts of Ukraine by force. These propagandistic tricks were trying to mask Russia's futile attempt to grab land in Ukraine. The „Results” were devised in Moscow they did not gather in Ukraine and they show Moscow's will, not the free will of Ukraine and its people. Russia forced Ukrainian citizens, stranded by the Russian Army, to vote under rifle tickets. On September 30th, Russia tried to defend itself against accountability and responsibility by vetoing the UN Security Council resolution condemning the so-called „referute”> and annex efforts. Russia, however, was isolated no single country voted alongside Russia.

We will never recognise these areas as part of any country other than Ukraine and we will support Ukraine as long as it needs. As Ukraine regains control over more of its territory and as the dire consequences of Russia's aggression come to light, the Kremlin is desperately rushing to draw the world's attention from its military losses and war crimes.

President Putin's actions have only further isolated Russia and strengthened the international determination to stay alongside Ukraine. Its threat of nuclear explosion, false referenda, forced mobilization and widespread oppression, and sometimes violent Russian citizens exercising their right to express themselves have electrified the public, but not in the way it intended.

In response, the United States and our allies and partners, including Kosovo, are setting rapid and heavy costs targeting Russian government officials, members of their families, Russian military officials and Belarus and defence procurement networks, including international suppliers supporting Russia's military-industrial complex. From visa restrictions to sanctions, actions from the entire US government continue to increase the broad economic measures imposed on Russia to seek responsibility for the unprotested war in Ukraine.

The people of Ukraine, publicly and consistently, have expressed their desire for free and democratic future. They are determined to remain independent and sovereign. Ukrainians are fighting valiantly. They are struggling and resisting Russia's efforts to brutally change Ukraine's internationally recognised borders.

We will continue to stay together with our partners, including Kosovo, in protecting the core principles of the UN Charter. And we will continue to help the people of Ukraine and provide support to help them protect themselves and their territory against the illegal invasion of Russia.