Topic: Ukraine
Country: Czech Republic
Delegate Name: Kenzie Kempa
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Czech Republic position papers GLIMUN 2018 committees
Ukraine’s 2004 election brought the country to the brink of civil war. Viktor Yanukovych, a pro-Russian, narrowly won the presidency against Yulia Tymoshenko and her pro-European bloc. In the years following, the western half of the country grew increasingly uneasy, fearing Yanukovych was a pawn of Russia. In November of 2013, widespread anti-government protests broke out in the capital, Kiev. These protests were triggered by Yanukovych’s decision to reject an association agreement with the EU. The Ukrainian government placed restrictions on the basic rights of its citizens, these anti-protest laws restricted freedom of speech and assembly. In February of 2014, the Ukrainian parliament voted to remove Yanukovych from office. He fled to Crimea and then to Southern Russia. Disagreement between pro-Russian and pro-western supporters intensified. In March 2014, in the midst of conflict, the Russian Federation rejected the provisional government of Ukraine and annexed the peninsula, Crimea. While larger scale fighting has ceased, smaller clashes still continue. Over 10,000 citizens and soldiers have been killed and the eastern half of Ukraine remains in shambles. Donetsk and Luhansk, have emerged as self-proclaimed separatist republics. It is known that the majority of Crimea is of primarily Russian ethnicity and preference. In a vote after the annexation, 95.5% of Crimeans voted in favor of joining Russia. The Minsk protocol, the attempt to stop the war in Ukraine, agreed upon in February of 2015 by Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany failed due to neither side respecting its implementation and gradually dismissing the ceasefire.
As a nation previously under Soviet rule, The Czech Republic understands the concerns by our fellow countries about the annexation of Crimea by Russia. In World War II, Czechoslovakia was a satellite state to the former soviet union, Czechia’s relationship with Russia has had some issues in the past. In August of 1968, five Warsaw Pact countries including the Soviet Union invaded Czechoslovakia due to a reform movement attempting to decentralize the administrative authority. We remember, but regardless, the relationship with Russia and the west is essential. The world cannot afford another Cold War. Being a part of the European Union and The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, all while maintaining a friendly relationship with Russia, the Czech Republic is the bridge of relations between these organizations and the Russian Federation. The Crimean dispute has caused massive, needless bloodshed. Furthermore, the people of the Crimean peninsula have voted to join the Russian Federation. Ukraine cannot hold onto land that is not loyal to them. Crimea has been part of the Russian empire since 1783. It only came into the possession of Ukraine after the dissolution of the USSR. Therefore, the majority of Crimea is of Russian ethnicity. In 2014, 65.3% of Crimea’s demographic was ethnically Russian. The Crimean people voted, and their decision should be respected. They have chosen Russia. Although we support the decision of the Crimean people, The Czech Republic believes that more precautions could be taken to reduce the loss of life in the conflict; therefore we have placed economic sanctions on Russia since their presence in Crimea. The president of the Czech Republic, Milos Zeman, emphasized treating this issue as a done deal.
This issue has to be resolved quickly to ensure the safety of citizens and soldiers in both countries. The annexation of Crimea is fait accompli. To avoid war, the Czech Republic proposes the Russian Federation compensates Ukraine for the annexed land with money, gas, or oil. The amount of compensation should be discussed between Russia and Ukraine. The Czech Republic urges the United Nations to acknowledge the Crimean Peninsula as a territory of Russia after compensation. We compel the United Nations to lift sanctions and begin aiding war-torn Ukraine. Russia can aid Crimea since the responsibility now lies with them. The Czech Republic has already spent upwards of 4.3 million dollars in humanitarian aid towards Ukraine. Czechia encourages fellow members of the UN to send money and resources to these areas in distress. We implore nations to support the human rights of the citizens of Ukraine and respect their decisions to join Russia. Attempting to retake Crimea will be a catalyst for another World War.
