Nuncio: Russian annexation of Crimea is ‘gross violation’ of law

February 19, 2015

In an interview with La Stampa’s Vatican Insider and in a post on his blog, Archbishop Thomas Gullickson, the apostolic nuncio in Ukraine, appealed for aid to Ukraine and lamented Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

He wrote:

Truth to be told, powerless as we are, the diplomatic part is easy for the Holy See and we are out there on all three points: 1) respect for a sovereign nation's territorial integrity is fundamental to international law and Russian annexation of Crimea is a gross violation of this body of customary law governing relations among states; 2) the chaos reigning in Donbas does not free Russia for its obligation to peacemaking: borders should be closed without delay to stop the flow of combatants and arms enabling Ukraine to establish order on its territory; 3) humanitarian aid is desperately needed by Ukraine, which should coordinate any flow of aid with the help of international agencies like the Red Cross.

Speaking that truth does not accomplish it, but perhaps the Holy See still possesses some moral authority, such that other nations would be encouraged to seek a lasting peace for Ukraine and the world in adherence to the truth and in justice.

Archbishop Gullickson also responded to recent criticism of Vatican diplomacy by Myroslav Marynovych, a human rights activist and vice rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University.

 

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Further information:

• The Return of the King - A Happy Ending for Middle Earth? (Deo Volente ex Animo)
• Kiev, il Nunzio: «Il popolo ucraino si sente abbandonato» (Vatican Insider)
• Ukrainian criticism of Vatican’s reaction to Russian intervention (CWN, 2/12)