Yushchenko makes official statement on Russia's recognition of South Ossetia's and Abkhazia's independence

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko made an official statement on Wednesday in connection with Russia's decision to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

The statement by the Ukrainian president, which has been posted on his official Web site, reads that on August 26, 2008, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, "contrary to numerous calls by the international community," signed decrees recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

In this connection, Yushchenko said that "the tragedy of the Georgian, in particular, the South Ossetian people, and the military conflict between Russia and Georgia have become a strong challenge not only to the Caucasian region, but also to Europe and the whole civilized mankind."

"The Russian leadership's decision endangers peace and stability in our region and on the European space, undermines the current international order, violates the integrity of principles foreseen in the UN regulations and other international legal documents. It is the violation of state borders and the manifestation of pressure and forceful intervention," reads the statement.

"Ukraine condemns Russia's recognition of self-declared republics and calls on the Russian leadership to return to the internationally accepted standards and conflict settlement principles and abide by reached international agreements," Yushchenko said.

The president said that Ukraine counts on the unification of efforts by the international community in order to restore Georgia's territorial integrity and expressed his readiness to "take an active part in this process."

UKRINFORM