The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia firmly supports Ukraine's territorial integrity and does not recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea. It recognizes diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Ukraine established in 1993. Saudi Arabia proposes four actions: 1) Demand Russia withdraw military forces from Ukraine and impose sanctions for violations of Ukrainian sovereignty 2) Recognize the invalidity of Crimea's referendum 3) Establish a trade agreement between Russia, Ukraine and EU to reduce tensions 4) Request international organizations protect Ukraine's territorial integrity and human rights.
1. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Ukraine’s Territorial Integrity
COUNTRY: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
TOPIC AREA: Tackling the Threats to Security in Ukraine
COMMITTEE: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
Feuds between the nation of Russia and Ukraine dates back to World War II. After the abolishment of
the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine has since gained territorial integrity and sovereignty. Tension
between these two nations rises as pressure from Ukraine’s bordering countries increases. Taking
into account that Ukraine borders two powerful major regions, that being Europe and Russia, It was
pushed to purse ties with either the west or the east. The Ukranian citizens are torn between the
opposing sides, ultimately dividing themselves among the two. The people who were pro-Russian
were known as separatists while those in favor of EU were known as the Orange Revolution. [1] This
lead to rebel movements and anti-government protests that eventually escalated to the extent where
innocent blood was spilt. [2] Ukraine endured years of economic and political instability due to these
issues. Its history of its imperative political figrues with clashing views of its neighboring countries
proved to be adverse to the overall unity of its people. [3]
CURRENT CONDITION
The threats to security in Ukraine as of 2014 stems from Ukraine’s President, Yanukovych, rejecting
an economic deal with the European Union regarding an association agreement. The EU sought for
more eastern european economies to enter trade agreements, focusing on expansion eastwards.
Ukrainians wanted further involvement with western eruope’s economies. [4] Having rejected the EU
deal, Russia offered a deal of $15 Billion in economic benefits. [5] For Pro-EU Ukranians, Yanukovych
had caved into the pressures from Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, to reject the EU deal. Many
Ukranians opposed Soviet Russian control and the limits on Ukranian culture. The people responded
by overthrowing Ukraine’s democratically elected and pro-Russian president. When tensions
hightened, Yanukovych fled Ukraine and took refuge in Russia. [6] A temporary interim government
took over, which seems to favor the EU. Separatists showed discontent and started a Russian Revolt
in Eastern Ukraine, Crimea to be precise. A referendum was held on March 16, 2014 to vote on
whether Crimea would join Russia or stay with Ukraine. The majority, 97%, voted to join Russia.
Representatives of Crimea and Russia began signing agreements to officialize the status. [7]
However, the international community viewed this referendum as illegal and illegitimate, having
violated the Ukranian constitution as well as the principles of international law. [8] Russia is highly
alarmed of this and shows its dissent by deploying troops to sieze Crimea on February, 2014. Putin
argues that his decision aims to “reunify” crimea to revive the Soviet Empire and to protect its people.
Fear of the establishment of NATO naval bases in Crimea, Putin responded by taking crimea to
destabilizie Ukraine until it gave up on joining the west. [9]
HISTORY OF SAUDI ARABIA AND POSITION
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia firmly supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity and does not recognize the
legitimacy of the Crimean referendum as it has no legal force, which must be in accordance with the
current Ukranian legislation. Aware of the Minsk Agreement between Belarus, the Russian Federation
and Ukraine of 1991, Saudi Arabia is concious that the Russian Federation has violated this
agreement. The agreement concludes that the USSR has ceased to exist as a subject of international
law and a geopolitical reality. [10] Recalling the diplomatic relations between The Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia and Ukraine as stated in “The Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between
Ukraine and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” of 1993, our nation remains committed to the peaceful
settlement of this issue. We recognize Ukraine’s rights to its territorial sovereignty. [11]
2. PROPOSED ACTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
1. Demands the Disengagement of Russian Military Forces by Imposing Sanctions
Demands the Russian Federation to immediately and strictly comply with the International Law,
Ukranian Constitution, and the Minsk agreements by withdrawing its military forces and weaponry
from the territory of Ukraine as well as the releasement of Ukranian hostages by Russian forces and
their proxies. Urges Sactions to be imposed to the Russian Federation as consequence for the clear
violation of Ukranian sovereignty by acts of aggression, such as reassessment of Russian
cooperation programmes Including suspension of bilateral and regional cooperation programmes.
Furthermore, proposes members of states to adopt a prohibition on imports originating from Crimea
and the Russian Federation.
2. Recognize the Invalidity of the Crimean Referendum
Fully aware of the violations of the Ukranian constitution and principles of international law made by
the Crimean Referendum, calls upon all states to underscore the Crimean Referendum held in the
Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol on 16 March 2014, having no validity, cannot form the
basis for any alteration of the status of the Republic of Crimea and of the city of Sevastopol.
3. Establish a trade agreement between Russia, Ukraine and EU
Urges all parties to work towards a peaceful resolution of the situation and instead form a trade
agreement to further develop each nation’s respective economies and build strong diplomatic
relations among one another rather than pursuing unilateral actions that may increase tensions and
lead to future security threats. Additionally, the trade agreement will assure neutrality within the
affiliated countries.
4. Requests Protection of Ukraine’s Territorial Integrity and Its Citizens’ Human Rights
Encourages efforts from the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe,
North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and other international and regional security organizations to
assist Ukraine in protecting the human rights of all persons in the nation, including the rights of those
beloging to minorities, and to also investigate all acts of violance. Furthermore, suggests the involved
and affiliated organizations to establish monitoring missions to Ukraine to reduce tensions and foster
peace, stability and security.
1. Hessert, Dominique. “Crisis in Ukraine.” Reporter. 12 September, 2014. Web. 13 November, 2014.
2. Karatnycky, Adrian. “Ukraine’s Orange Revolution.” The New York Times. 12 April, 2005. Web. 13 November, 2014.
3. “Why is Ukraine’s Economy in such a Mess?” The Economist. 5 March, 2014. Web. 13 November, 2014.
4. “Ukraine – Trade.” European Union. N.d. Web. 13 November, 2014.
5. “Ukraine Protestors w ant Answ ers on $15 Billion Russia Aid.” Bloomberg. 18 December, 2013. Web. 13 November, 2014.
6. Frizell, Sam. “Ukraine Protestors Seize Kiev as President Flees.” TIME. 22 Februrary, 2014. Web. 13 November, 2014.
7. “Crimea Referendum: Voters back Russia Union.” BBC. 16 March, 2014. Web. 13 November, 2014.
8. “UN Assembly declares Crimea referendum invalid.” United Nations. 27 March, 2014. Web. 13 November, 2014.
9. “NATO Commander Slams Kremlin for troop convoys.” Ukraine Today. November 11, 2014. Web. 13 November, 2014.
10. “The Minsk Agreement.” Library of Congress. N.d. Web. 13 November, 2014.
11. “Saudi Relations w ith Ukraine.” Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. N.d. Web. 14 November, 2014.