Mr Chairperson,

On 9 December 2021, Ukraine participated in the 19^th Annual Consultations on the Review of Implementation of the Document on Confidence and Security-Building Measures (CSBMs) in the Naval Field in the Black Sea. In this respect, we appreciate the efforts of the Russian Chairpersonship in organising the Consultations via video conferencing and express our gratitude to all participants for the discussion.

In its statement at the consultations, the Ukrainian delegation had to admit that the mechanisms of cooperation and confidence-building in the naval sphere in the Black Sea, envisaged in this Document, unfortunately proved to be ineffective and did not help prevent and resolve serious developments in the region.

We firmly believe that the full responsibility for the destruction of the naval CSBM regime in the Black Sea rests on the Russian Federation. By occupying the Crimean Peninsula and transforming it into the powerful military base in the region, the Russian Federation torpedoed the CSBM regime in the Black Sea. As a result, more than 44,000 square kilometres were withdrawn from the naval CSBM zone of application within the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

During the consultations, we informed the participants of the facts of the increasing militarization by the Russian Federation of the temporarily occupied Crimea, including through deployment of weapon systems potentially capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

We also expressed our strong protest against Russia's naval activities planned for 2022 and called on participating states to refrain from engaging in military and naval activities of the aggressor state, which are carried out in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine.

Mr Chairperson,

I would like to draw your attention that the problem of occupation and militarization of Crimea and their consequences remain in the focus of the international community. On 9 December 2021, on the very same day as the CSBMs Consultations were held, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution entitled “Problem of the Militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.”

This Resolution condemns Russia's occupation and militarization of Crimea and identifies threats it poses to international security.

We thank all of the States who voted in favour of this resolution for their support and lasting commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

In conclusion, allow me to wish every success to Turkey as the incoming 2022 Chair of the Document on Confidence and Security Building Measures in the Naval Field in the Black Sea.

Thank you, Mr Chairperson.