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
A/RES/73/194
Supporting the commitment by Ukraine to adhere to international law in its
efforts to put an end to the temporary Russian occupation of Crimea,
1.
Stresses that the presence of Russian troops in Crimea is contrary to the
national sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine and
undermines the security and stability of neighbouring countries and the European
region;
2.
Expresses its grave concern over the progressive militarization of Crimea
by the Russian Federation as the occupying Power, and also expresses concern over
reports of the continuing destabilization of Crimea owing to transfers by the Russian
Federation of weapon systems, including nuclear-capable aircraft and missiles,
weapons, ammunition and military personnel to the territory of Ukraine, and urges
the Russian Federation to stop such activity;
3.
Expresses its concern regarding multiple military exercises of Russian
armed forces held in Crimea, which can undermine regional security and entail
considerable long-term negative environmental consequences in the region;
4.
Also expresses its concern over the Russian Federation’s ongoing actions
in parts of the Black Sea surrounding Crimea and the Sea of Azov, including their
militarization, which pose further threats to Ukraine and undermine the stability of
the broader region;
5.
Expresses its utmost concern about the dangerous increase in tensions and
the unjustified use of force by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, including
against three vessels of the naval forces of Ukraine, namely, the Berdyansk, the
Nikopol and the tugboat Yana Kapu, on 25 November 2018 in the Black Sea, as well
as the serious wounding of some of their crew members, calls upon the Russian
Federation to release the vessels and their cre ws and equipment unconditionally and
without delay, and also calls for the utmost restraint to de -escalate the situation
immediately;
6.
Calls upon the Russian Federation to refrain from impeding the lawful
exercise of navigational rights and freedoms in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and
the Kerch Strait in accordance with applicable international law, in particular
provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; 2
7.
Condemns the Russian Federation’s construction and opening of the Kerch
Strait bridge between the Russian Federation and temporarily occupied Crimea,
which facilitates the further militarization of Crimea, and also condemns the
increasing military presence of the Russian Federation in parts of the Black Sea and
the Sea of Azov, including the Kerch Strait, and the Russian Federation ’s harassment
of commercial vessels and restriction of international shipping there;
8.
Urges the Russian Federation, as the occupying Power, to withdraw its
military forces from Crimea and to end its temporary occupation of Ukraine’s
territory without delay;
9.
session.
Decides to continue its consideration of the matter at its seventy-fourth
56th plenary meeting
17 December 2018
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