Ukraine seeks Nigeria’s support against Russia’s occupation of Crimea

Ukrainian ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Valerii Aleksandruk, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to join the international community and mount pressure on Russia to end its occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

The envoy made the call in Abuja yesterday in response to Russia’s continuous aggression and occupation of the Ukrainian territory.
Aleksandruk said the territory was annexed by the Russian federation after a military intervention in 2014 and since then the Russian government had been administering it.He noted that the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 68/262 of March 27, 2014 ‘Territorial Integrity of Ukraine’ had affirmed its full commitment to the sovereignty and political independence of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

Despite the sanctions imposed on Russia and the clear demands of the international community, the Russian government has not abandoned its occupation of Crimea, he stated. “On the contrary, continuing violation of human right in Crimea and the militarisation of the peninsula have become the tip of the iceberg in Russia’s massive campaign and breaches of norms.”He, therefore, called on Nigeria to advance more diplomatic pressure on Russia to leave its territory.

Ukraine, he added, would continue to take all necessary steps under international law to counter Russia’s aggression, restore its territory and protect the rights of its citizens.On the difficulties faced by Nigerians in obtaining visa to Ukraine, the envoy said a lot of Nigerians had been granted visa by the embassy.

He explained that only last year, more than 2,000 applications for visa by Nigerians were granted, including that of students and business men/women.Ukraine will continue to collaborate with Nigeria to improve the latter’s economy, especially in the revitalisation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company (ASC), he added.