The Press Center of the US Department of State informs that at the 2015 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has slammed Russia for its aggression toward Ukraine, and admits that the Russian Federation disregards the Budapest memorandum:
“So let me briefly underscore one point here: In 1994, under the Budapest Memorandum, the United States, Russia and the United Kingdom extended similar assurances to Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus as they sent back to Russia the Soviet-era nuclear weapons that remained on their territory. This was an incredible act of leadership for the nonproliferation regime, which is why Russia’s current approach to the Budapest Memorandum – disregarding it – is extraordinary,” admits Secretary Kerry.
“On that note, I want to emphasize our deep concerns regarding Russia’s clear violation of its obligations under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. We are urging Russia to return to compliance. For decades, that treaty has contributed to the peace and the security in Europe and Asia. And there is no reason – no reason – to create new dangers by undermining it now.”
.@JohnKerry delivers remarks today at #NPTRevCon. Transcript: http://t.co/BvMlorM8si | Video: https://t.co/0ZGaBjiVSl
— Department of State (@StateDept) 28 Квітень 2015
Actually, Russia invaded in Ukraine despite the Budapest Memorandum and international law in whole. The text of Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances states:
“The United States of America, the Russian Federation, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine, in accordance with the principles of the CSCE Final Act, to respect the Independence and Sovereignty and the existing borders of Ukraine.”
“The United States of America, the Russian Federation, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, reaffirm their obligation to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine, and that none of their weapons will ever be used against Ukraine except in self-defense or otherwise in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.”
Besides, on February 2015, former NATO Secretary General admitted that the idea of nuclear disarmament of Ukraine has failed.
In addition Secretary Kerry hold the meeting with EU High Representative Mogherini and talked about the violation of the Minsk Agreements by Russia.
Secretary @JohnKerry‘s remarks this morning with EU High Rep @FedericaMog: http://t.co/PRo3wjvgHp pic.twitter.com/0RryhuGJ2s
— Department of State (@StateDept) 29 Квітень 2015
“We have the challenges, of course, of Ukraine. And here the EU is again critical to the sanctions regime that is essential to helping to impress on Russia the need to fully implement the Minsk agreements. There are some very important choices coming up in the next months regarding the continuation of the sanctions regime. It’s a critical moment for Russia to help implement that agreement fully. Right now there appear to be different views as to what the interpretation of the political requirements are. So we will be very engaged with the EU in working going forward with respect to the Minsk implementation,” underlined Secretary Kerry.
