President at the UN GA: Today I brought an appeal of thousands of Ukrainians to press on Moscow to release the Ukrainian seamen
20.02.2019 21:36 | Press office of President
President Petro Poroshenko stresses that Ukraine is counting on the UN support and assistance in the liberation of Ukrainian seamen. The Head of State said this during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly Debate on agenda item 67 “The situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine”.
“Today I brought an appeal to the Secretary General to press on Moscow to release the Ukrainian crewmembers. It was signed by thousands of Ukrainians over the last few days. And I speak on behalf of all of them. We sincerely count on your support,” Petro Poroshenko said.
“This is a call signed by Ukrainian leaders. And this is the list of signatures. Which are now here in New York. And I give it to the Secretary-General,” the Head of State noted.
“Last November the Russian naval forces committed a direct, brutal and unprovoked attack on Ukrainian warships in the international waters of the Black Sea. Russia’s actions fall exactly under the definition of aggression according to UN General Assembly Resolution of 1974,” the President said.
As a result, the vessels were damaged and seized, 24 crew members, including 3 wounded, were captured and are now in illegal detention in Russia, as stated by the President.
“I want to stress that they are not criminals; they must be treated as prisoners of war under Geneva Conventions,” the Head of State noted.
“But Russia turns a deaf ear to numerous calls for their immediate and unconditional release, including those contained in the resolution adopted by this General Assembly last December,” the President emphasized.