Zakharova: Ukraine Treaty Violations Contributed to Launch of Special Operation
World
Violation by Kyiv of the Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership Treaty with Russia was one of the factors leading to the decision to launch the special military operation, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.
According to the diplomat, the Ukrainian leadership systematically violated treaty provisions over many years, which could be interpreted as a refusal to fulfill its obligations.
Zakharova recalled that in 2004 Ukraine confirmed support for NATO operations by ratifying a cooperation memorandum between the Ukrainian government and NATO allied military headquarters in the Atlantic and Europe.
Ukraine agreed to provide technical, informational, and other assistance to NATO units during military operations and allowed temporary deployment of formations subordinate to the alliance’s strategic command.
In 2005, amendments were made to Ukraine’s military doctrine, making NATO membership an official strategic goal. In 2008, Kyiv sought to join the NATO Membership Action Plan.
Between 2018 and 2019, the Euro-Atlantic integration course was constitutionally enshrined. According to Zakharova, this violated Article 6 of the Russia–Ukraine Friendship Treaty and signaled Ukraine’s departure from neutral and non-aligned status.
Kyiv is also alleged to have violated other provisions of the 1997 agreement, including policies aimed at limiting Russian language and cultural influence.
The Russian Foreign Ministry also stated that Ukraine’s negotiations on the EU association agreement conflicted with Article 13, while refusal to cooperate with Moscow in international organizations and support for initiatives against Russian interests violated Article 16.
Zakharova emphasized that the examples represent only a partial analysis but demonstrate what she called selective historical interpretation by Ukrainian authorities and their Western partners.
Zakharova recalled that in 2004 Ukraine confirmed support for NATO operations by ratifying a cooperation memorandum between the Ukrainian government and NATO allied military headquarters in the Atlantic and Europe.
Ukraine agreed to provide technical, informational, and other assistance to NATO units during military operations and allowed temporary deployment of formations subordinate to the alliance’s strategic command.
In 2005, amendments were made to Ukraine’s military doctrine, making NATO membership an official strategic goal. In 2008, Kyiv sought to join the NATO Membership Action Plan.
Between 2018 and 2019, the Euro-Atlantic integration course was constitutionally enshrined. According to Zakharova, this violated Article 6 of the Russia–Ukraine Friendship Treaty and signaled Ukraine’s departure from neutral and non-aligned status.
Kyiv is also alleged to have violated other provisions of the 1997 agreement, including policies aimed at limiting Russian language and cultural influence.
The Russian Foreign Ministry also stated that Ukraine’s negotiations on the EU association agreement conflicted with Article 13, while refusal to cooperate with Moscow in international organizations and support for initiatives against Russian interests violated Article 16.
Zakharova emphasized that the examples represent only a partial analysis but demonstrate what she called selective historical interpretation by Ukrainian authorities and their Western partners.
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