Topic: Situation in Ukraine
Country: France
Delegate Name: Elvira Kate Kovachevich
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All France position papers GLIMUN 2014 committees
The situation in Ukraine remains a very perilous and urgent matter relevant to the global community. The Ukraine itself hold a less-than-perfect democracy with a very weak economy and foreign policy that waivered (and continues to, to some extent) between a pro-Russian and pro-European government. This now-international issue began as an internal Ukrainian crisis in late 2013 when President Viktor Yanukovych rejected a deal for greater integration with the European Union. This was a major spark within Ukraine since Ukrainians had never as a whole determined whether they were more Russian or more Ukrainian after separating from the Soviet Union in 1991. As the people continued to voice their opinions, President Yanukovych was taken out of power while simultaneously, Russian sent in unmarked Russian troops to annex Crimea. This was followed by an ongoing fighting between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian security forces in eastern Ukraine and, in August, with the Russian military overtly invading. Russian President Putin sees this as not only just an opportunity for acquiring more territory and influence for military purposes, but as he is genuinely trying to help the pro-Russian Ukrainians left in the divided country.
France sees the Ukraine as an ally and has verbally expressed its support to the separatists, yet now faces an issue: should France void its 1.2 billion Euro contract and sell two warships to Russia as the United States and Britain so strongly encourage? That is to be determined within the next few days, yet France strongly condemns the violence on both sides, especially regarding MH17 (Malaysian Airline) that was struck down by pro-Russian rebels. The weapons that were provided by the Russian Federation. Overall, France stands to see the state of Ukraine as a whole without the influence of the Russian government.
Therefore, France sees the situation in Ukraine an issue that doesn’t necessarily involve the entire world, but rather the main superpowers such as France, United Kingdom, United States, China, and of course, Russia. While this is an issue between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, the international community remains concerned that remain that human rights will not be violated (which instead will be protected per Resolution 68/262 clause #4) and the motives of the Russian government, as well as the unjust actions that seem to be heading in an illegal direction.
