FM Kuleba calls on Oceanian countries to join sanctions against Russian Federation

08.07.2022 10:32

Ukrinform

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba called on the Oceanian countries to join the international sanctions against Russia, limit its maritime activity in their territorial waters, and prevent Russia from using their jurisdictions to escape sanctions.

Ukraine’s top diplomat made a corresponding statement, speaking at the Pacific Islands Forum, Ukrinform reports with reference to Kuleba's post on Facebook.

"The first-ever speech by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine at the Pacific Islands Forum... Today I called on the Oceanian countries to continue supporting Ukraine in the UN and voting for resolutions related to Ukraine, join international sanctions against Russia, limit Russia's maritime activity in their territorial waters, prevent Russia from using their jurisdictions to escape sanctions," the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine wrote.

Kuleba also warned the Oceanian friends about the threats of Russian propaganda and against any joint projects with Russia.

The minister underscored that our country would develop relations with this region, which is geographically farthest from Ukraine.

"There are two oceans and tens of thousands of kilometers between us, but the countries of the region are our friends and stand by our side in countering Russian aggression. Fourteen Oceanian countries voted for the resolution of the UN General Assembly on March 2, which condemned Russian aggression and ordered Russia to stop hostilities and withdraw its troops," Kuleba noted.

The Pacific Islands Forum is the largest intergovernmental organization in Oceania. It has 18 members: Australia, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Cook Islands, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Fiji, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, French Polynesia.