Russia confirms cancellation of Friendship Treaty with Ukraine
Ukraine confirmed that it has received a note from Russia regarding the non-renewal of the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between the two countries.
On his personal Facebook page, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said on March 12 that this 12-page document is Russia's response to the decision to terminate the Friendship Treaty that Ukraine announced in 2018.
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| Russia has sent a note to Ukraine about terminating the Friendship Treaty. Illustration photo: UNIAN. |
On the same day, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Olena Zerkal said that Russia's note included a confirmation that the Friendship Treaty would no longer be valid from April 1.
The Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Russia and Ukraine was signed in 1997 and entered into force on April 1, 1999. Accordingly, both sides pledged to respect each other's borders and resolve disputes peacefully. The treaty includes a provision for automatic extension for another 10 years if neither side decides to terminate it.
In September 2018, Ukraine formally notified Russia of its intention to withdraw from the Treaty. Three months later, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed a law terminating the Treaty of Friendship, saying it was “part of Ukraine’s strategic pivot to Europe.”
Relations between Russia and Ukraine have deteriorated since early 2014, related to the Crimea issue and the situation in Eastern Ukraine./.
