Ukraine officially suspends friendship treaty with Russia
(Baonghean.vn) - On September 17, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed a decree to terminate the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership with the Russian Federation. The decree was posted on the President's website.
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| Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. Photo: Getty |
The announcement stated that the decree “is in accordance with the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (SNBO) of Ukraine dated September 6, 2018, supporting the proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Ukraine to terminate the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Russia and Ukraine signed on May 31, 1997.”
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry is responsible for informing the Russian side about this. The SNBO and the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry will also inform the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and other international organizations about Ukraine's decision.
The Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Russia and Ukraine is valid for 10 years from April 1, 1999 and is automatically extended if neither side objects.
After being automatically renewed in 2009, the Treaty is in force until 2019. The Treaty stipulates the principles of partnership, recognition of the inviolability of existing borders, respect for territorial sovereignty and the bilateral obligation not to use their territories against each other.
In the first reaction from the Russian State Duma (i.e. the lower house of parliament), Chairman of the Duma Committee on the CIS, Eurasian integration and communication with compatriots Leonid Kalashnikov stated that Ukraine's violation of the Treaty on Friendship with Russia would lead to the loss of guarantees of compliance with the rights of Ukrainians living in Russia and Russians in Ukraine.
According to Mr. Kalashnikov, the Treaty can only be resumed if there is a change of government in Kiev.
