Delivered by Ambassador Yevhenii Tsymbaliuk, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the International Organizations in Vienna, to the 1262nd meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, 12 March 2020
Mr. Chairperson,
The delegation of Ukraine aligns itself with the statement delivered by the delegation of the European Union. Let me also make several remarks in a national capacity.
The MH17 flight was downed on 17 July 2014 in Russia-occupied parts of Donbas with the use of Russian anti-aircraft missile system «Buk» belonging to the Russian Federation’s 53rd Anti-Aircraft Military Brigade.
Immediately the Joint Investigation Team was comprised of representatives of the law enforcement authorities of Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Malaysia and Ukraine whose tremendous work throughout these years in evidence gathering made it possible to present first indictments to 4 suspects of downing the flight MH17.
On 9 March 2020, the District Court of The Hague started its criminal trial of these people. I would like to use this opportunity and thank the Netherlands for excellent organization of the logistics of this trial.
We believe that open, impartial and independent court proceedings are the only way of bringing to criminal liability all perpetrators of the downing. Ukraine aligns itself committed to further investigation.
We will continue to monitor this trial closely and the Netherlands can rely on Ukraine in case any assistance is needed.
On its side Ukraine will proceed with its own actions of establishing truth and justice for victims and their next of kin. In respect of downing of the MH17 the Russian Federation violated the International Convention for the Terrorism Financing Suppression. Ukraine’s claim on this issue is being heard in the International Court of Justice.
Moreover, downing of MH 17 was one of the gravest implications of Russia’s hybrid warfare in Donbas launched in spring 2014, which continues until now, bringing new losses of human lives almost on the daily basis.
Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.