Issue 1 (23), 2021

OSCE

UNITED NATIONS

NAVY NAVY UNITED STATES STATES UNITED

INTERNATIONAL LAW LAW INTERNATIONAL MILITARY HUMANITARIAN GENEVA CONVENTION ANNEXATION CRIMEAN TATARS C R I M EDE OCCUPATION A

UKRAINE

OCCUPATION OCCUPATION HUMAN RIGHTS RIGHTS HUMAN CRIMEANBLACK PLATFORM SEA

• CRIMEAN PLATFORM • TEMPORARY OCCUPATION • INTERNATIONAL REACTION UA: Analytica · 1 (23), 2021 1

BOARD OF ADVISERS

Dr. Dimitar Bechev (Bulgaria, Director of the European Policy Institute) Issue 1 (23), 2021 Dr. Iulian Chifu Analysis and Early Warning Center) (Romania, Director of the Conflict Amb., Dr. Sergiy Korsunsky (Ukraine, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentionary of Ukraine to Japan)

Editors Dr. Igor Koval (Ukraine, Odesa City Council) Dr. Hanna Shelest Dr. Mykola Kapitonenko Marcel Röthig (Germany, Director of the Representation of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Ukraine) Publisher: Published by NGO “Promotion of Intercultural James Nixey (United Kingdom, Head of the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House, the Cooperation” (Ukraine), Centre of International Royal Institute of International Affairs)

of the Representation of the Friedrich Ebert Studies (Ukraine), with the financial support (Slovakia, Ambassador Foundation in Ukraine, the Black Sea Trust. Dr. Róbert Ondrejcsák Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Slovak Republic to the United Kingdom of Great Britain UA: Ukraine Analytica and Northern Ireland) analytical journal in English on International is the first Ukrainian Relations, Politics and Economics. The journal Amb., Dr. Oleg Shamshur (Ukraine, former is aimed for experts, diplomats, academics, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary students interested in the international of Ukraine to France) relations and Ukraine in particular. Dr. Stephan De Spiegeleire (The Netherlands, Contacts: Director Defence Transformation at The Hague website: http://ukraine-analytica.org/ Center for Strategic Studies) e-mail: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze (Ukraine, ukraineanalytica Head of the Parliamentary Committee Twitter: https://twitter.com/UA_Analytica on European Integration)

The views and opinions expressed in Dr. Dimitris Triantaphyllou (Greece, Director of articles are those of the authors and do not the Center for International and European Studies, Kadir Has University (Turkey)) Analytica, its editors, Board of Advisors or necessarily reflect the position of UA: Ukraine donors. Dr. Asle Toje (Norway, Vice Chair of the Nobel Committee, Research Director at the Norwegian ISSN 2518-7481 Nobel Institute)

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UA: Ukraine Analytica · 1 (23), 2021 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE CRIMEAN PLATFORM WILL BECOME A FOREIGN POLICY INSTRUMENT OF THE DE-OCCUPATION STRATEGY...... 3 Interview with the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Emine Dzhaparova

THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN THE TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED CRIMEA AND UKRAINE GOVERNMENT’S ACTIONS FOR SECURING TIES WITH UKRAINIAN CITIZENS RESIDING THERE...... 9 Anton Korynevych

SHOULD WE FEEL LONELY? ASSESSING INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT OF UKRAINE REGARDING CRIMEA ...... 15 Yar Batoh and Khrystyna Holynska

WHY THE UNITED STATES SHOULD JOIN THE CRIMEAN PLATFORM?...... 26 Iryna Dudko and Vladyslav Faraponov

DIPLOMATIC CONFRONTATION IN THE OSCE ON RUSSIA`S OCCUPATION AND MILITARISATION OF CRIMEA...... 35 Andrii Tkachuk and Volodymyr Prykhodko

CIVIL SOCIETY IN OCCUPIED CRIMEA: A FIGHT FOR THE RIGHTS ...... 43 Valeriia Skvortsova

ADDRESSING RUSSIA’S OCCUPATION OF CRIMEA: FROM CONFLICT MANAGEMENT TO PEACEBUILDING...... 50 Maksym Bugriy

MAKING THE CRIMEAN SANCTIONS WORK: WHAT UKRAINE AND THE WEST CAN DO TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE SANCTIONS REGIME...... 59 Yuliya Kazdobina

THE BLACK SEA AND THE BALTIC SEA: TWO SEAS, ONE SECURITY CHALLENGE. . . 68 Andrii Ryzhenko

A CHANGE OR CONTINUATION OF THE STATUS QUO IN THE BLACK SEA REGION: THE CASE OF CRIMEA’S ANNEXATION ...... 74 Mustafa Gökcan Kösen and Sabri Deniz Tığlı

2 UA: Ukraine Analytica · 1 (23), 2021 DIPLOMATIC CONFRONTATION IN THE OSCE ON RUSSIA`S OCCUPATION AND MILITARISATION OF CRIMEA

Andrii Tkachuk, PhD, D.Sc. Embassy of Ukraine in Austria Volodymyr Prykhodko, M.Sc. Mission of Ukraine to the OSCE

The OSCE is the only international organisation that has been directly involved in resolving the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Russian aggression against Ukraine, illegal occupation of Crimea, and militarisation of the peninsula have been intensively discussed in the OSCE forums. The Crimean and Black Sea security issues have been in focus since the spring of 2018, when the illegal construction of the bridge had been completed, as a result blocking free passage of Ukrainian vessels from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov and significantly affecting the security of the entire region. The article highlights the role of the OSCE in the de-occupation and demilitarisation of Crimea, discussions of these issues in the OSCE Permanent Council and Forum for Security Cooperation, negotiation tactics of Ukraine, and reaction of Russia and Ukraine’s partner countries.

OSCE As a Comprehensive Diplomatic involvement of the comprehensive regional Platform for Russia-Ukraine Conflict security organisation, the OSCE. Ukraine Resolution needs to continue making maximum use of the OSCE tools to politically and The Russian-Ukrainian war, caused by the diplomatically ensure effective protection of Russian aggression against Ukraine, and the its sovereignty and territorial integrity in the occupation of Crimea and parts of Donbas framework of the internationally recognised have been ongoing for seven years. The borders, including the Autonomous Republic Russian Federation illegally occupies 7.2% of Crimea and the city of , and to of Ukrainian territory. All these years, the prevent this issue from being replaced by on the front line attempts of individual countries to establish and Ukrainian diplomats on international a dialogue with Russia on a business- platforms, primarily the UN system in New York and the OSCE in Vienna, have been violations of the international norms and resisting and confronting Russian actions. principlesas-usual basis,unpunished. while leaving its flagrant

One of the most important and powerful In this article, we examine issues on the components of ensuring security, international agenda that have been put sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine in counteraction of Russian occupation and attempted annexation of the aggression is the continued active Autonomousforward in the Republic OSCE, specifically of Crimea the andRussian the

UA: Ukraine Analytica · 1 (23), 2021 35 city of Sevastopol, as well as more active of diplomatic platforms and tracks allows and prevalent attempts to block a large area us to make proposals on how to optimise of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The and coordinate the necessary actions of our latter can be seen as an attempt to annex state to ensure security and sovereignty these sovereign territories of Ukraine and and restore territorial integrity within its territories in international waters, which internationally recognised borders. In the cannot be claimed by any state as governed current geopolitical conditions, Ukrainian by the internationally recognised Law of the diplomacy needs to focus on the complex Sea. Such actions could be seen as the “third task of joint implementation of different front” of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine components of its priority political and security efforts1. front) and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regionsalongside (second the occupation front). of Crimea (first aggression against Ukraine in February 2014From to the this veryday, the first OSCE days might of have Russia’s been the only international organisation that, From the very first days of on a daily basis, is actively involved in the Russia’s aggression against resolution process of the Russian-Ukrainian «Ukraine in February 2014 to this day, the OSCE might have been reaction of the world community to the the only international organisation beginningconflict. The of the most Russian prompt aggression and effective was that, on a daily basis, is actively involved in the resolution process OSCE in Ukraine. As early as March 2014, of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict the launchOSCE ofSpecial a special Monitoring field presence Mission of theto Ukraine (SMM) was established to promote peace, stability, and security, and to monitor and support the implementation of OSCE The abovementioned discussions in the OSCE principles and commitments2 throughout framework are characterised by Ukraine’s the occupied territory, including Crimea, as active presentation of relevant and factual well as monitor the implementation of the information (texts, videos, and photos), data Minsk agreements. of other international organisations, and Ukraine’s military intelligence and security An important area of Ukraine’s active diplomatic work to de-occupy Crimea and infringement of international norms is a proper full implementation of the andagencies, principles, which its confirm obligations Russia’s as a disregard member provisions of the Budapest Memorandum, of the UN and the OSCE, as well as numerous bilateral and multilateral agreements states – permanent members of the UN between Russia and Ukraine. accordingSecurity Council to which(USA, UK, the France, five nuclearRussia,

An analysis of Ukraine’s current efforts to obligation to refrain from the threat or use counter Russian aggression on a wide range ofand force China) against – assured/reaffirmedthe territorial integrity their or

1 I. Lossovskyi, Дипломатичні пріоритети України у протистоянні російській агресії (Diplomatic Priorities of Ukraine in Confrontation of Russian Aggression) 2 I. Lossovskyi, Частина І. 45-та річниця Гельсинського Заключного акта та його роль у міжнародних , «Стратегічна панорама», № 1-2, 2019, с.5-19. гарантіях територіальної цілісності й безпеки Україні (45th Anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act and Its Role in the International Guaranties for the Territorial Integrity and Security of Ukraine)

, «Зовнішні справи – UA Foreign Affairs», № 7-8, 2020, с.27-34. 36 UA: Ukraine Analytica · 1 (23), 2021 political independence of Ukraine, taking The worry in Ukraine is compounded by the into account the commitment of Ukraine critical situation regarding human rights on to eliminate all nuclear weapons from its the territory of the temporarily occupied territory, the world’s third largest nuclear Crimea, which continues to worsen. The peninsula has become a place of fear and guarantees provided earlier in the 1975 repression against people with opposing OSCEarsenal. Helsinki The memorandum Final Act3. inThe fact importance confirmed and necessity of Ukraine’s involvement rights activists and ethnic Crimean Tatars. of the OSCE mechanisms is determined Thereviews –is first plentiful and foremost, evidence Ukrainian showing human mass by those guarantees set out in the 1975: infringements on human rights and basic respect the territorial integrity of each of the freedoms in Crimea4. This is happening participating states; respect independence, alongside the militarisation of Crimea sovereignty, and existing borders; refrain while closing Crimea to any international from the threat or use of force against observation and methods of international the territorial integrity and political control. independence of the participating states; guarantee that no weapons will ever be used With Russia’s aggression, Ukraine against another state except in cases of self- expects support and solidarity from the defence; refrain from economic coercion. international democratic community and further strengthening of the political, The continued armed aggression of the diplomatic, and economic pressure by Russian Federation against Ukraine is placing more sanctions on the aggressor designed to undercut the current world with the goal of forcing the Kremlin into a order, which is based on the respect of and peaceful resolution. commitment to the European democratic values. The only effective response from The Most Promising OSCE Forums the international democratic community to and Instruments for Crimea’s Russia’s aggressive actions is to maintain De-occupation support and solidarity toward Ukraine and strengthen the political, diplomatic, The main OSCE forums that focus on and economic pressure until all Minsk the situation around the occupation and militarisation of Crimea as well as on Russia’s rightful territorial integrity is restored attempts to block and virtually annex large toagreements its internationally are fulfilled recognised and Ukraine’sborders, swaths of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, including Crimea. including the Kerch Strait, are the Permanent Council of the OSCE, its committees, the Russia’s aggressive actions are based on Forum for Security Cooperation (FSC), and outdated geopolitical fears and views about numerous events conducted by the OSCE’s Russia’s historical insecurity, which have independent institutions. The Permanent been exacerbated by the Kremlin regime. Council of the OSCE meets on a weekly basis, This has led to Russia challenging and while the others meet on a regular basis, in undermining the world order that is based the organisation’s headquarters in Vienna. on core democratic values. Also, there are annual meetings with the six

3 Helsinki Final Act 4 G. Steinhauser, Human Rights Worsen in Crimea, Report Says, “Wall Street Journal”, 27 October 2014 [https://www. , 1 August 1975 [https://www.osce.org/helsinki-final-act]. wsj.com/articles/human-rights-worsen-in-crimea-report-says-1414416579].

UA: Ukraine Analytica · 1 (23), 2021 37 littoral states (Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, the Parts of the Black and Azov Seas”. This Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine) regarding was organised by the ministers and deputy the implementation of the Confidence- ministers of 12 countries and became an and Security-Building Measures document important forum covering the continuation relating to the naval and military situation in of the “Friends of the De-occupation of the Black Sea, which was signed as part of Crimea” platform, as it became a joint event the OSCE in 20025. held with partnering states. This thematic

Even with Russia’s attempts to create of such a high level to be held in the OSCE. In a so-called “positive agenda”6 for the thisdiscussion way, the was OSCE the has first been open able parallel to maintain event organisation, which would shy away from vigilance over the issues arising from the asking tough questions, the OSCE keeps attempted annexation and the continued cognisant that the return of Ukraine’s militarisation of the Crimean Peninsula and sovereignty and territorial integrity to its the growing occupation of the waters in the internationally recognised borders through Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. Russia’s compliance to the norms and principles of the OSCE, de-occupation of Crimea, and the return to the fundamental principles of international law comprise the Even with Russia’s attempts to only way to reinstate the trust in and safety create a so-called “positive agenda” of the OSCE region, and to maintain a strong «for the organisation, which would and effective platform for security on the shy away from asking tough questions, entire European continent. the OSCE keeps cognisant that the return of Ukraine’s sovereignty and Considering the consensual character of territorial integrity to its internationally OSCE decisions, the main instrument in recognised borders through Russia’s the hands of the international community compliance to the norms and principles against the infringing party, in this case of the OSCE, de-occupation of Crimea, Russia, is political and diplomatic pressure and the return to the fundamental from a majority of countries on the aggressor principles of international law comprise state, showing and ensuring Russia’s the only way to reinstate the trust isolation from the rest of the world. in and safety of the OSCE region

Apart from the regular plenary meetings of the OSCE forums, during which, over the past seven years, Ukraine has consistently raised The 16th annual consultations on the the question of the Russian aggression, the implementation of the Document on illegal occupation and attempted annexation Confidence- and Security-Building Measures of Crimea, an important event took place in the Naval Field in the Black Sea7 (December during sessions of the 25th Ministerial 2018, Vienna) included a detailed discussion Council meeting (Milan, December 2018) of Russia’s aggressive actions in the Black Sea focusing on “The Issue of the Militarisation and the Kerch Strait, including the attacks, of the Autonomous and shelling, and capture of three Ukrainian

5 Document on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures in the Naval Field in the Black Sea, UN, 03 June 2002 [https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/466840]. 6 I. Lossovskyi, n.2. 7 Document, n.5.

38 UA: Ukraine Analytica · 1 (23), 2021 ships that took place on 25 November the Ukrainian delegation to promote 2018, illegal obstruction and blocking by issues important to the Ukrainian side, Russia of navigation in the Kerch Strait, e.g., restoring sovereignty over Crimea and the ongoing militarisation of the Black and Donbas. Within the framework of the Sea region and the temporarily occupied meetings of the OSCE Council of Ministers, a Crimean Peninsula. During the next, 17th high-level information event, “International and 18th, annual consultations (December Response to the Occupation of Crimea: Next 2019 and December 2020 respectively), Steps”, was organised by Ukraine and chaired Ukrainian diplomats continued to provide by Minister for Foreign Affairs D. Kuleba9. proof of Ukraine’s position on Russia’s The event, which was attended by more than aggressive policy and illegal actions in the 150 delegates, including the leadership of Black Sea region and its blatant violation of the foreign ministries of Turkey, Lithuania, the provisions of the document and other the United States, Poland, and Georgia, instruments of international law, territorial became very important for promoting the integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, and de-occupation of Crimea in the international fundamental OSCE principles and norms8. arena. At the same time, relevant video and photo materials were shown, and the statistics of Russian violations were given. the OSCE Special Monitoring The Chairpersonship of Ukraine at the Mission, which has become the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation «source of accurate and reliable in 2020 played an important role for information, plays the leading role Ukrainian diplomacy in defending the among the OSCE structures and is a tool sovereignty and territorial integrity of the used to enforce the Minsk agreements, state. The Ukrainian side took advantage even with the severe restrictions of the opportunities provided by this on its ability to fulfil its mandate Chairpersonship and initiated discussions on different political and military issues such as Russia’s militarisation of the temporarily occupied Crimea, Russia’s obstruction Ukraine’s plans to involve the OSCE in the of free navigation in the Azov-Black Sea work of the Crimean Platform became the basis for expert work at the level of the uncontrolled section of the Ukrainian- OSCE delegations in Vienna. The Crimean Russianregion, illicitborder, arms hybrid trafficking threats throughto security the Platform is part of Ukraine’s strategy for de- in the region, the phenomenon of private occupation. It is expected to work on several military companies, etc. level, which will include heads of state The 27th ministerial meeting of the OSCE andlevels. government. The first The is the second highest is the political level (December 2020, Tirana) was used by of foreign and defence ministers. The third

8 РФ хоче удвічі наростити озброєння в окупованому Криму – Україна в ОБСЄ (Russia Wants to Double Arms in the Occupied Crimea - Ukraine in the OSCE), “UkrInform.ua”, 15 December 2020 [https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric- crimea/3154594-rosia-majze-udvici-planue-narostiti-ozbroenna-v-okupovanomu-krimu-ukraina-v-obse.html]. 9 Dmytro Kuleba Informs OSCE Participating States about Five Priorities of the Crimean Platform, Ukraine’s Mission to the OSCE, 03 December 2020 [https://vienna.mfa.gov.ua/en/news/dmitro-kuleba-rozpoviv- derzhavamuchasnicyam-obsye-pro-pyat-prioritetiv-krimskoyi-platformi].

UA: Ukraine Analytica · 1 (23), 2021 39 is the inter-parliamentary level with the of Russia in the peninsula is being performed participation of members of parliaments. by rearmament with modern weapons and The fourth is the level of experts and civil military equipment. society. Currently, the following military personnel The tools developed under international and weapons are located on the temporarily law and the corresponding OSCE structures occupied peninsula: 32,500 military are widely used by Ukraine to prevent personnel; more than 60 combat ships, Russia from the attempting to legitimatise including six sea-launched cruise missile the Russian occupational jurisdiction carriers; seven attack submarines; up to over the Autonomous Republic of Crimea 200 tanks; about 400 combat armoured and the city of Sevastopol, to prevent the vehicles; more than 280 artillery systems misinformation regarding the hybrid armed of different calibres, including MLRSs; up to aggression in the Donbas, and to show how 120 air defence systems; ten coastal missile Russia is evading their obligations under complexes; more than 180 aircraft and international law. In this regard, the OSCE helicopters10. Special Monitoring Mission, which has become the source of accurate and reliable information, plays the leading role among strengthened its air component, the OSCE structures and is a tool used to additionallyThe Russian deploying Federation bomber, has significantly assault, enforce the Minsk agreements, even with

its mandate placed on them by the Russian andfighter, striking and armyhelicopters aviation. 1.5 times The numberduring occupationthe severe restrictionsadministrations. on its Itsability mandate to fulfil is theof combat period of aircraft occupation. has increased In particular, fivefold, the supposed to allow the SMM to monitor all new Su-30SM and Su-30M2 multipurpose territory within Ukraine’s internationally aircraft, as well as Mi-28 and Ka-52 recognised borders, which would also entail helicopters, have been deployed on the the monitoring of the Crimean Peninsula and the adjacent waters of the Black Sea and and Su-24 aircraft with Su-30SM/M2 the Sea of Azov. Even with all of this, Russia airfields. Replacing the obsolete Su-27 still fails to recognise the SMM’s legitimate has been pre-planned for 2020-2021. The newfighters aircraft and Su-34have the bombers, ability accordingly,to conduct prevents any meaningful monitoring of the combat operations more effectively in temporarilyright to entirely occupied fulfil territories, its mandate, especially which the air and also on land (or sea) targets Crimea and the adjacent waters. by employing modern high-precision Russian-manufactured weapons. At the Latest Statistics on the Continuing moment, the Russian Federation uses seven Militarisation of the Crimea , , and Kirovske – out of At the same time, Russia in the past few airfields – Belbek, Kacha, Saki, Gvardiiske, years has continued its deliberate policy of of the temporarily occupied Crimea. The militarisation of the temporarily occupied 13 military airfields based on the territory Crimea, adjacent territorial waters, and the entire Black Sea basin. Further increase of receptionairfield infrastructure, of long-range in and particular strategic on combat capabilities of the occupation forces aviationGvardiiske aircraft. and Belbek Common airfields, canoperational provide

10 Russia, n.8.

40 UA: Ukraine Analytica · 1 (23), 2021 Ukrainian diplomats express resolute aircraft of the operational-tactical aviation. protest over Russia’s conscription of Bycapacity 2025, of they the airfieldplan to netdeploy is about the air450-500 force Ukrainian citizens from the temporarily and air defence troops of the navy on the occupied territory of Crimea and Sevastopol basis of the 27th mixed aviation division into Russian military service. In accordance and the 31st air defence division of the with international humanitarian law, in 4th air force and air defence army, naval particular the Geneva Convention relative to aviation regiments of the Russian Black Sea the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of Fleet11. War, it is forbidden for the occupying power to compel protected persons to serve in its In the naval component, there are plans armed or auxiliary forces. Neither exerts of to further increase the number of ships of pressure nor propaganda aiming at securing the Russian Black Sea Fleet by combat ship voluntary enlistment are permitted. From replenishment of close maritime zones. Six the very start of the illegal occupation submarines, three frigates, and three small of the peninsula, the Russian Federation missile ships have been included in the Black has conducted 11 illegal conscription Sea Fleet. These vessels are the carriers of campaigns, during which approximately “Kalibr” type sea-launched cruise missiles 25,000 persons have been illegally called up (these missiles can hit land targets at a range for military service into the armed forces of of up to 1,500 km with normal load and up Russia. During the 2020 autumn campaign, to 2,600 km with a nuclear combat part). It more than 500 persons from Crimea were is expected that 84 vessels and combat boats conscripted to serve in the Russian army. will be included to increase the combat Ukraine has repeatedly urged Russia to strength of the Black Sea Fleet, 61% of which cease these violations and strictly abide by are new. The priority are carriers of “Kalibr” the commitments of the occupying power. type sea-launched cruise missiles. Twenty- Conclusions sea-launched cruise missiles with the ultimatefive ships/submarines missile salvo willof 184 be armedmissiles with (at The response to the discussions throughout present there are 12 ships/submarines with the OSCE forums of the Russia-Ukraine the ultimate missile salvo of 84 missiles). The inclusion of three more combat ships international support for Ukrainian and not less than two strike ships in the conflict confirms the unwavering Black Sea Fleet is expected. and regain Ukraine’s sovereignty and actions in their relentless fight to maintain Russia continues to hold illegal military of open condemnation by the majority exercises on the temporarily occupied ofterritorial the participating integrity, reflectingcountries theof positionRussia’s peninsula and in the adjacent territorial aggression, and militarisation and waters. The Ukrainian side in the OSCE and occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol, as in other diplomatic platforms insists that the well as large areas of the Black Sea and the stationing of Russian troops in Crimea and Sea of Azov, the return of which would entail conduct of any military activities without the de-occupation of the peninsula and the consent of Ukraine are illegal. Such actions reinstatement of the freedom of navigation contravene international law and further in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov and aggravate regional stability and security. through the Kerch Strait.

11 Ibid.

UA: Ukraine Analytica · 1 (23), 2021 41 With all of these considerations, Russia continues to demonstrate its unwillingness Andrii Tkachuk, PhD, D.Sc., Doctor of Sciences and unpreparedness for a constructive in History, Colonel, holds the position of Defence, discussion of a peaceful resolution of Air, and Naval Attaché of Ukraine in the Republic of Austria since 2016. He joined the Armed of statements from various countries Forces of Ukraine in 1999. He was an attaché at the conflict. Even with the plethora the Embassy of Ukraine in Berlin (2014-2016). Dr. Tkachuk received an MMA from Bereznyak theconfirming occupation and of Crimea condemning and the adjacent Russia’s Military Diplomatic Academy in 2010. In 2011, waters,involvement it continues in the armed to deny conflict, its proven including and he obtained a PhD from Lviv National Ivan Franko University. In 2021, Dr. Tkachuk earned The current situation shows a clear distrust the degree of Doctor of Sciences in History. He fromindisputable the majority involvement of the OSCE in participating the conflict. is the author of 33 academic articles and two states toward the Russian “argumentation” monographs in the field of military history, and creates a clear isolation of Russia as the regional security, relations between Ukraine and only country supporting such an outrageous NATO, combat operations in the east of Ukraine. position. Volodymyr Prykhodko, Major-General, is The OSCE has been the only international currently the Representative of the Ministry of organisation that is actively involved on Defence of Ukraine to the Permanent Mission a daily basis in the resolution process of Ukraine to the International Organizations in Vienna (Republic of Austria). Since 1999, started with the occupation and attempted he has held different positions in the security annexationof the Russian-Ukrainian by Russia of the conflict, Autonomous which and defence sector of Ukraine. Major-General Republic of Crimea and the city of Prykhodko has a master’s degree in economy, Sevastopol. This gives the organisation state security management, and management in special importance in the entire process of defence sphere. peaceful settlement.

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