The call for the urgent meeting came after the Foreign Minister of Ukraine said Russia had ignored formal requests to explain the build-up of 120,000 troops across its borders.
Ukraine has called for an urgent meeting with Russia through the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in the next 48 hours.
The OSCE in Europe is the world’s largest security-oriented inter-Governmental organization with observer status at the United Nations (U.N.). Its mandate includes issues such as arms control, promotion of human rights, freedom of the press and fair elections. The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) was deployed on 21 March 2014, following a request to the OSCE by Ukraine’s government and a consensus decision by all 57 OSCE participating States.
The call for the urgent meeting came after the Foreign Minister of Ukraine – Dmytro Kuleba said Russia had ignored formal requests to explain the build-up of 120,000 troops across its borders. Under the Vienna Document, of which Russia is party to, OSCE members can ask for information on a member’s military activities.
Taking it to twitter, Kuleba tweeted (translated to English), “Russia did not respond to our request for the Vienna Document. We take the next step. Ukraine convenes a meeting with Russia and all member states over the next 48 hours to discuss the strengthening and relocation of Russian troops along our border and in the temporarily occupied Crimea.” Original tweet in Ukrainian:
Росія не відповіла на наш запит за Віденським документом. Ми робимо наступний крок. Україна скликає зустріч з РФ та всіма державами-учасницями протягом наступних 48 годин для обговорення посилення та переміщення військ РФ уздовж нашого кордону та у тимчасово окупованому Криму 1/2
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) February 13, 2022
He further tweeted (translated to English), “If Russia is serious about its indivisibility of security in the OSCE area, it must fulfill its commitment to military transparency in order to reduce tensions and strengthen security for all participating States.” Original tweet in Ukrainian:
Якщо Росія серйозно ставиться до своїх слів про неподільність безпеки на просторі ОБСЄ, вона має виконати свої зобов’язання щодо військової прозорості задля зниження напруги та зміцнення безпеки для всіх держав-учасниць 2/2
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) February 13, 2022
Although Russia has denied any plans of invasion, the United States has warned that Russia can begin aerial bombardment anytime. The Prime Minister of United Kingdom (U.K.) – Boris Johnson has also said there are very serious signs that Russia is preparing for invasion.
Ukraine has a constitutional commitment to join North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and it depends on the readiness of NATO itself. The U.K. has also said it would support Ukraine with whatever it decides.
Besides, the President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to the President of U.S. – Joe Biden where both leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrence. During the call, Zelensky also invited Biden to Ukraine.
In the latest attempt to find a diplomatic solution, the Chancellor of Germany – Olaf Scholz will be speaking to Zelensky and the President of Russia – Vladimir Putin. Germany has warned of severe economic consequences if Russia invades Ukraine.
