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A/RES/75/29 GA

Problem of the militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov

75
Session
63
Yes
17
No
62
Abstentions
Draft symbol A/75/L.38/Rev.1
Adopted symbol A/RES/75/29
Category POLITICAL AND LEGAL QUESTIONS
P5 Positions
Russia United States United Kingdom China France
UN Document A/RES/75/29 ↗

Vote Recorded VoteA/75/PV.36 Dec. 7, 2020

— Abstain (62)
✗ No (17)
Absent (51)
✓ Yes (63)
Speeches following this vote (18) may include explanations of vote
The President
Before giving the floor for explanations of vote after the voting, may I remind delegations that explanations are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.
Mr. Hermann (Denmark)
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the eight Nordic and Baltic countries — Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Denmark. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the illegal annexation of Crimea and the Russian Federation’s ongoing violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Our policy of non-recognition remains firm. We are …
Ms. Zahedi (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
I am taking the floor to reaffirm the United Kingdom’s full support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in March 2014 was a flagrant violation of Russia’s international commitments and a direct challenge to the rulesbased international order. Russia’s actions remain a direct cha…
Ms. Tang (Singapore)
I am taking the floor to explain my delegation’s vote on resolution 75/29, which was just adopted. As a small country, Singapore is deeply committed to multilateralism and respect for international law. We have always supported the principles of respect for territorial integrity, non-interference in the domestic affairs of a sovereign State, respect for sovereignty and the rule of law. We have al…
Mr. DeLaurentis (United States of America)
I am taking the floor to deliver a general statement on behalf of the United States. The United States would like to thank the facilitator for her efforts on resolution 75/29 and Ukraine for its leadership on this important issue. Nearly seven years into its occupation of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula, Russia’s increasing militarization of Crimea poses a serious and growing threat to our common se…
Mr. Tozik (Belarus)
Belarus has consistently taken the position that it is unacceptable to introduce country-specific resolutions in the General Assembly that are designed exclusively as an instrument of political accusation. Their adoption only strengthens confrontation and in no way contributes to resolving specific disputes. Resolution 75/29, presented today, is one-sided, politicized and very selective about the…
Mr. Situmorang (Indonesia)
I would like to begin by reaffirming Indonesia’s consistent position of upholding and respecting the principles of non-interference, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries within their internationally recognized borders, including Ukraine. Indonesia is therefore opposed to any action aimed at annexing or illegally occupying the territory of any sovereign country or territory that …
Mr. Sahraei (Islamic Republic of Iran)
I have asked for the floor to explain my delegation’s position on resolution 75/29, entitled “Problem of the militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov”. Based on its principled position, the Islamic Republic of Iran is of the view that a General Assembly resolution should address an international…
Mr. Khaldi (Algeria)
My delegation has asked for the floor to explain its vote on resolution 75/29 entitled “Problem of the militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov”. The Algerian delegation has abstained in the voting on the resolution on this topic for the third consecutive year, in view of the fact that the resolu…
The President
We have heard the last speaker in explanation of vote after the voting. I call on the representative of the Russian Federation, who wishes to speak on a point of order.
Mr. Polyanskiy (Russian Federation)
Needless to say, we deplore the vote that was just held on resolution 75/29, submitted by Ukraine. The issue is not about the content of this absurd and deceitful resolution. As I explained in my statement before the vote, whether the resolution was adopted or not was not going to influence the Crimeans’ position or the status of the peninsula in any way. We are merely disappointed that the Ukrai…
The President
I call on the representative of Ukraine, who wishes to speak on a point of order.
Mr. Kyslytsya (Ukraine)
I regret to have to say that the Russian representative has shown once again that the Russians do not give a monkey’s about the rules in this house and that his statement actually had nothing to do with a point of order. It is regrettable that the Russian delegation has once again misused the Assembly to make what seems to be a substantive statement. I would say, however, that I take criticism fr…
The President
I now give the floor to the observer of the European Union to make a statement after the vote.
Mr. Gonzato
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union (EU) and its member States. The candidate countries Turkey, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania; the European Free Trade Association country Liechtenstein, member of the European Economic Area; as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, align themselves with this statement. The European Union does not and will not reco…
The President
I call on the representative of the Russian Federation, who has asked to speak in right of reply.
Mr. Polyanskiy (Russian Federation)
I will be brief, Mr. President. Judging by everything he has said, Ambassador Kyslytsya is intent on insulting his compatriots and the people of the entire former Soviet Union with his false interpretation of history. Our opinion of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact has not changed, and there is no need for the Ambassador to say things here that are not true. But we consider the Pact solely as a histor…
The President
We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item. The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 34.
Full text of resolution OCR extract — may contain errors
United Nations A/RES/75/29 General Assembly Distr.: General 14 December 2020 20-16517 (E) 181220 *2016517* Seventy-fifth session Agenda item 34 (a) Prevention of armed conflict: prevention of armed conflict Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 7 December 2020 [without reference to a Main Committee (A/75/L.38/Rev.1 and A/75/L.38/Rev.1/Add.1)] 75/29. Problem of the militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov The General Assembly, Recalling the Charter of the United Nations, in which it was stated, inter alia, that all Members of the United Nations shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations, Recalling also its resolution 2625 (XXV) of 24 October 1970, in which it approved the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, and the principles contained therein, Mindful of the 1975 Helsinki Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Declaration on Principles Guiding Relations between Participating States contained therein, Recalling its resolution 68/262 of 27 March 2014 on the territorial integrity of Ukraine, in which it affirmed its commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, Recalling also its resolutions 73/194 of 17 December 2018 and 74/17 of 9 December 2019 on the problem of the militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, Recalling further its resolutions 71/205 of 19 December 2016, 72/190 of 19 December 2017, 73/263 of 22 December 2018 and 74/168 of 18 December 2019 A/RES/75/29 Problem of the militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov 20-16517 2/4 on the situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, Gravely concerned that the provisions of those resolutions and relevant decisions of international organizations, specialized agencies and bodies within the United Nations system have not been implemented by the Russian Federation, Recalling its resolution 3314 (XXIX) of 14 December 1974, in the annex to which it was stated, inter alia, that no territorial acquisition or special advantage resulting from aggression is or shall be recognized as lawful, Condemning the ongoing temporary occupation of part of the territory of Ukraine, namely, the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol (hereinafter referred to as “Crimea”), by the Russian Federation, and reaffirming the non-recognition of its annexation, Recalling that the temporary occupation of Crimea and the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine by the Russian Federation is in contravention of commitments made in the Memorandum on Security Assurances in Connection with Ukraine’s Accession to the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (Budapest Memorandum) of 5 December 1994,1 in which, inter alia, the obligations to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine and the commitment to respect the independence and sovereignty and the existing borders of Ukraine were reaffirmed, Deeply concerned by the illegal seizure and establishment of control by the Russian Federation over the former nuclear weapons storage sites in Crimea, which may pose a threat to regional and global security, Expressing concern over the efforts of the Russian Federation to extend its jurisdiction over the nuclear facilities and material in Crimea, Expressing concern also about the deterioration of the international security and arms control architecture, including as a result of the temporary occupation by the Russian Federation of the territories of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, which has had a destabilizing impact on the international verification and arms control regimes, including those established by the Treaty on Open Skies, the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe2 and the Vienna Document 2011 on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures, and rejecting the attempts by the Russian Federation to advance its narrative about its actions in the temporarily occupied Crimea through the implementation of international arms control regimes, Affirming that the seizure of Crimea by force is illegal and a violation of international law, and affirming also that those territories must be immediately returned, Recalling the prohibition, under international humanitarian law, for the occupying Power to compel protected persons to serve in its armed or auxiliary forces, including through pressure or propaganda that is aimed at securing voluntary enlistment, and condemning the ongoing recruitment and conscription campaigns in Crimea and criminal prosecutions, which include fines, correctional labour and imprisonment of Crimean residents for draft evasion, Concerned by efforts to use the education of children in Crimea in order to indoctrinate them to join the Russian military forces, __________________ 1 A/49/765-S/1994/1399, annex I. 2 See CD/1064. Problem of the militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov A/RES/75/29 3/4 20-16517 Recalling the order of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea of 25 May 2019 on provisional measures in the Case concerning the detention of three Ukrainian naval vessels (Ukraine v. Russian Federation) and Procedural Order No. 1 of the Arbitral Tribunal Constituted under Annex VII to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea between Ukraine and the Russian Federation in respect of a Dispute concerning the Detention of Ukrainian Naval Vessels and Servicemen of 22 November 2019, Noting the fact that security concerns, the build-up of forces and the holding of Russian military exercises in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov regions, accompanied by closures of maritime routes, further destabilize the economy and social services, particularly in the coastal regions of Ukraine, Supporting the commitment by Ukraine to adhere to international law in its efforts to put an end to the temporary Russian occupation of Crimea, 1. Urges the Russian Federation, as the occupying Power, immediately, completely and unconditionally to withdraw its military forces from Crimea and end its temporary occupation of the territory of Ukraine without delay; 2. Calls upon all Member States and relevant international organizations to cooperate with the United Nations to encourage and support efforts to put an end to the Russian occupation of Crimea as rapidly as possible and to refrain from any action or dealing with the Russian Federation regarding Crimea that is inconsistent with this aim; 3. Supports commitments and concerted efforts by the international community, including within international frameworks on Crimea, to address emerging challenges resulting from the progressive militarization of Crimea, which undermines security and stability in the region and beyond; 4. Stresses that the presence of Russian troops in Crimea is contrary to the national sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine and undermines the security and stability of neighbouring countries and the European region; 5. Reiterates its grave concern over the progressive militarization of Crimea by the Russian Federation as the occupying Power, and expresses concern over the continuing destabilization of Crimea owing to transfers by the Russian Federation of advanced weapon systems, including nuclear-capable aircraft and missiles, weapons, ammunition and military personnel to the territory of Ukraine, and urges the Russian Federation to stop such activity without delay; 6. Condemns the use of seized Ukrainian military industry enterprises in the occupied Crimea by the Russian Federation; 7. Calls upon the Russian Federation to refrain from efforts to extend its jurisdiction over the nuclear facilities and material in Crimea; 8. Expresses its deep concern over the continued conscription by the Russian Federation of the residents of Crimea, including those holding Ukrainian citizenship, into its armed forces, including assignment to military bases in the Russian Federation, and urges the Russian Federation to stop such activity, which contradicts international humanitarian law, without delay; 9. Calls upon the Russian Federation to refrain from establishing educational institutions that provide combat training to Crimean children with the stated aim of training for military service in the Russian armed forces, to refrain from establishing combat training courses at Crimean schools and to cease efforts to formally incorporate Crimean educational institutions into the “military-patriotic” education system of the Russian Federation; A/RES/75/29 Problem of the militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov 20-16517 4/4 10. Reiterates its concern regarding multiple military exercises of Russian armed forces held in Crimea, which undermine regional security and entail considerable long-term negative environmental consequences in the region; 11. Calls upon the Russian Federation to refrain from unlawful military- related activities in Crimea and parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, which would further exacerbate tensions in the region and beyond; 12. Condemns the construction by the Russian Federation of warships in the temporarily occupied Crimea, which further contributes to the build-up of forces and poses a threat to regional security and stability; 13. Expresses its utmost concern about the dangerous increase in tensions and the unjustified use of force by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, including the intentional obstruction of traffic; 14. Calls upon the Russian Federation to return to Ukraine unconditionally and without delay all equipment and weapons seized from the vessels Berdyansk, Nikopol and the tugboat Yani Kapu during the unjustified use of force by the Russian Federation on 25 November 2018; 15. Encourages further negotiations to ensure the release by the Russian Federation of all illegally detained Ukrainian citizens and their safe return to Ukraine; 16. Calls upon the Russian Federation to refrain from impeding the lawful exercise of navigational rights and freedoms, exercised in accordance with applicable international law, including provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,3 including but not limited to closure of sea areas under the pretext of military exercises, in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait; 17. Condemns the construction and opening by the Russian Federation of the Kerch Strait bridge and the railway bridge, which form a part of the Tavrida highway project, between the Russian Federation and the temporarily occupied Crimea, which facilitates the further militarization of Crimea and restricts the size of ships that can reach the Ukrainian ports on the Azov coast; 18. Also condemns the increasing military presence of the Russian Federation in parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, including the Kerch Strait, and the harassment by the Russian Federation of commercial vessels and its restriction of international shipping there, which further aggravates the economic and social situation in the broader Donetsk region already affected by the temporary occupation of Crimea and subsequent ongoing destabilizing acts by the Russian Federation; 19. Further condemns visits of Russian officials to the temporarily occupied Crimea, including those in connection with conducting military exercises, military parades and other activities; 20. Calls upon all Member States, as well as international organizations and specialized agencies, to refrain from any visits to Crimea that are not agreed with Ukraine; 21. Decides to continue its consideration of the matter at its seventy-sixth session. 36th plenary meeting 7 December 2020 __________________ 3 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1833, No. 31363.
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UN Project. “A/RES/75/29.” UN Project, https://un-project.org/votes/resolution/A-RES-75-29/. Accessed .