Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba Statement on Russia's Attempts to Use the COVID-19 Pandemic for Political Gain

The coronavirus pandemic has become a global threat. A due response to it requires solidarity and responsible leadership. At the same time, the pandemic does not reduce the scope of other threats but aggravates some of them, in particular - Russia's aggressive policy.

Not only does Russia continue the shelling of Ukrainian territory, despite the UN call for a ceasefire during the pandemic. Moscow impedes the effective management of the pandemic by blocking access to the occupied territories for the the OSCE and UN monitoring missions, as well as the ICRC.

Russia tries to persuade those around that sanctions limit its ability to tackle the pandemic. These claims are an imitation. No sanctions package imposed on Russia for its aggression in Crimea and Donbas does affect its ability to protect Russians from the coronavirus, or to contribute to global efforts to overcome the crisis.

Russia’s misuse of the pandemic for political purposes, its calls to lift sanctions are a dirty manipulation and an attempt to benefit from the suffering of millions.

The international community has imposed sanctions on Russia in response to its armed aggression against Ukraine. This has nothing to do with the coronavirus pandemic.

The Sanctions are a means to restore respect for international law. The way to their removal lies through the cessation of the seven years of aggression, rather than through the pandemic of a new virus.

This will be the best exhibit of Russia's solidarity with the rest of the world at this challenging time. This can become the only possible reason for the international community to change its policy towards Russia.

As long as the threat of aggression remains relevant and Donbas and Crimea – occupied by the Russian Federation, sanctions must remain in force.