On September 15, the 70th session of the UN General Assembly opened at the UN Headquarters in New York. The General Assembly is the chief consultative and directive organ of the United Nations, in which all the 193 member countries have equal representation. At this anniversary session discussions will be held on such burning issues of the global political agenda as international security, countering terrorism, overcoming the negative effects of climate change, reforming the Security Council, and analysis of the human rights situation in the world.
For Ukraine, this session is special for several reasons. Firstly, it is an excellent opportunity to raise before the international community the issue of condemning Russia’s aggression in the east of Ukraine, the unlawful occupation of Crimea, and of setting up the international tribunal to investigate the Malaysian flight MH17, downed in Donbas. Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko can do it from the UN rostrum in a speech, scheduled for September 29.
Secondly, at this session Ukraine will run for a non-permanent UN Security Council member, and it expects a positive vote.
Thirdly, the General Assembly could become a scene for a meeting between Poroshenko and Putin in the so-called Normandy Four format, with the participation of France’s President Francois Hollande and the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel.
Remarkably, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin will speak twice at this session, on September 27 and 28 and, as his press secretary Dmitry Peskov let know, in his second speech he will touch upon the situation in Ukraine and Syria, and will also raise the question of countering the Islamic State.
A highly positioned Ukrainian diplomat shared off record to The Day that the Ukrainian delegation will concentrate on the following major problems: the ways of achieving peace in the east and of fastest possible restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity in the pre-war boundaries, i.e. including Crimea and Donbas. “That is why the delegation will continue expounding to the global community on the causes of the conflict in Ukraine, as well as on who fuels the conflict, who is interested in it, and that it is aggression not only against Ukraine, but also against Europe and the entire civilized world: it questions such fundamental documents, regulating the contemporary international practices, as the UN Statute and the Helsinki Final Act. No one may violently shift borders in the 21st century, for it is a brutal violation of international law. This violation must be punished, and the culprits must be held accountable according to international law,” our interlocutor said.
Another important issue, according to him, is voting for the Security Council, and “we hope and believe that Ukraine will be elected to the UN Security Council for a two-year term, which will enable us to more actively participate in solving the most burning issues of international life, and first and foremost, it will facilitate the solution of the most crucial question for us today: countering Russia’s aggression and the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.”
The Day asked its experts to comment on Ukraine’s expectations of this special UN session, and share about what Ukraine can take along to New York.
“WE EXPECT MORE PRESSURE ON RUSSIA WITH DEMAND TO WITHDRAW ITS TROOPS FROM UKRAINE’S TERRITORY”
Hanna HOPKO, chairperson, Verkhovna Rada Committee for Foreign Affairs:
“We expect more pressure on Russia with demand to withdraw its troops from Ukraine’s territory, expansion of the OSCE’s capacities for monitoring, toughening of the sanctions until Crimea is restored to Ukraine, and the release of political prisoners. And also discussion of the Millennium Development Goals until the year 2030.
“Ukraine’s values, such as dignity, freedom, kindness, and sacrifice, are becoming crucial in global joint efforts to establish peace.
“We strongly hope that the extended meeting of the Normandy Four, with the participation of President Obama, will make it clear to Putin that he is doomed.
“We also expect this session to discuss the issue of updating (reforming) the Security Council membership at the cost of expanding the representation of states, and to grant Ukraine a non-permanent seat in the Security Council.”
“RENDER POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL, AND MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE”
Volodymyr KHANDOHII, president, NGO Ukrainian Association for Foreign Policy, Kyiv:
“This anniversary session of the UN General Assembly is indeed an important event, in which dozens heads of states and governments will take part. I think that our delegation, led by President Poroshenko, must use the opportunities offered by the UN to the full extent. A speech before the General Assembly is the most important in a series of steps taken by any head of state. Moreover, Ukraine must grasp the opportunity to hold numerous bilateral meetings and take part in the events slated for the General Assembly.
“In my opinion, our leader’s speech must be focused on expounding the essence of the developments in Ukraine, caused by the Russian Federation’s aggression against our country. The president must propose his vision of the way out of the situation, and urge the international community to render all necessary assistance to Ukraine, including political, economic, financial, and military. In other words, this is a unique opportunity for him to address all nations. But he has to be convincing in his assessments and pragmatic in his proposals to the international community.
“Speaking of Ukraine’s chances to be elected to the UN Security Council, they are high. This, by the way, is another important moment of this session, but we have every chance to be elected non-permanent member of the Security Council. As far as I know, today we have no competition; the nominees shall be suggested by regional groups, and we are nominated by a group of East European states. That is why we have a pretty high chance to be elected.
“As far as the order of speakers is concerned (in particular, given that Poroshenko will speak after Putin), it is of no consequence. Each of the heads of states will say what he wants to say. On the other hand, speaking after Putin may be favorable, as it offers an opportunity to refute some of his theses. We will know about them, and will take them into account while preparing to speak. Technically, this order is more advantageous for us.
“It is conjectured that at this UNGA session the question of the international tribunal to investigate the downing of MH17 will be considered. I see no possibility to solve this question in the framework of the General Assembly. It pertains to the realm of international law. The only thing that can be done is securing certain political support from other states and thus consolidating our standpoint. However, it is impossible to set up a tribunal through a decree of the UN General Assembly. It is common knowledge that the General Assembly’s resolutions have advisory nature. Besides, this question is not to be considered by the GA. Bringing this issue for the consideration by the UNGA requires some constructive thinking.
“Speaking of President Poroshenko’s words that Russia must be deprived of its right to veto: it is out of the question. Unfortunately, today no one can deprive Russia of its right to veto. To do this, a whole mechanism is needed. And this could only be done as part of systemic reform of the Security Council as a whole. In fact, it is impossible to grant someone the right to veto, or to withdraw this right.”
