Browsing: Quotable notes

“On Russia and the G-7, that is an issue that Canada has a very clear position on and that I personally have a very clear position on. Early in my career as a journalist, I lived and worked in Moscow – in Moscow at a time when Russia was building a democracy and a market economy. And it was entirely appropriate as part of that process to admit Russia to the G-7. That was the G-7 community of nations extending a hand to a democratizing, reforming Russia and saying the doors are open to you to join this important, I would say essential, group of likeminded nations.

“After the attack of occupation forces on Ukrainian positions and the death of four Ukrainian servicemen, President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy called his Russian counterpart and asked him to ‘influence the other side.’ It’s time for the Ukrainian president to wake up and give up his dangerous illusion. There is no ‘other side’ – this is a fabrication of the Kremlin’s propaganda.

“…We commend the sides for the disengagement of forces at Stanytsia Luhanska that began on June 26, as forces pull out of the zone and undertake demining activities. And we encourage the sides to use this success to make progress on full disengagement at the two other sites that were designated.

… Russia obstructs the work of your monitors, impeding the [OSCE Observer] mission’s ability to obtain an accurate assessment of…...

…for more than four years, the Minsk agreements in their entirety have outlined a path out of Russia’s manufactured conflict in eastern Ukraine. And, for more than four years, we have watched Russia contravene the most fundamental elements of the agreements – namely, an immediate and full ceasefire along the line of contact – as Moscow continues to stoke the very conflict it started.

“…We have overcome our disagreements in the past. And we must overcome our differences now. Because we will need our Alliance even more in the future. 

“Today, the United States, EU and Canada took coordinated action in response to Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine by imposing sanctions on individuals who orchestrated the unjustified November 25 attack on three Ukrainian naval vessels near the Kerch Strait. Additionally, the United States imposed sanctions on six Russian defense firms, including shipbuilding companies; two individuals involved in the November sham ‘elections’ in Russia-controlled eastern Ukraine; and two Russian energy and construction companies operating in Crimea.

… the United Kingdom welcomes this opportunity to discuss the repeated violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity at the hands of Russia. Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine is not limited to the Donbas and Crimea – Russia seeks to undermine Ukraine at every opportunity; undermining the ceasefire; supplying the Russian-backed separatists with weapons and calling illegitimate elections – all in breach of the Minsk agreement. These actions have a tragic impact on the lives of Ukrainian civilians. As the French ambassador said: in the five years since this conflict began, over 12,800 people have lost their lives. Almost 25,000 have been injured. And 3.5 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Russia bears a heavy responsibility for the ongoing loss of life. …

… Colleagues, if we are ever to have a lasting ceasefire in this conflict, which Russia manufactured and continues to stoke, Russia’s forces must start with the agreed-upon steps of ceasing hostilities. They must withdraw weapons and place them in storage sites, as stipulated in the Minsk agreements. Let us not fall into the trap of moral equivalency here.

“The path to peace is neither a policy of pacification nor withholding the truth. Such approaches undermine democracy and make aggressor states only stronger. We must recognize one uncomfortable truth: [there is] a war on the European continent. Hybrid, dirty, using all possible means of influence. Russian aggressive behavior is now a major challenge to Europe’s security, Russia is violating international law, jeopardizing the unity and integrity of the European Union. …

The January 6 announcement of autocephaly for an independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine marks a historic achievement as Ukraine seeks to chart its own future. On this momentous occasion, the United States reiterates its unwavering support for a sovereign, independent Ukraine.

“…The energy security of our European partners and allies has been a longstanding strategic priority for the United States, and, given Russia’s aggression in recent days, this is a good time to spotlight our diplomacy on transatlantic energy security.