Talks about the termination of war in Eastern Ukraine, which are underway in Normandy format in Minsk, go to the dead end. In fact, they had no perspectives from the very beginning because tone to those negotiations is set by Russia, that actually started the war in Donbas. Military actions in Eastern Ukraine were preceded annexation of Ukrainian Crimea by Russian Federation, which is not even under consideration in Minsk.
Massive anti-Ukrainian propaganda, supporting separatist movements in Ukraine, annexation of Crimea, the war on the Eastern territory of Ukraine and other actions of Moscow violated the stability, established in Europe after World War II, and guarantees of Ukraine’s security proclaimed by Budapest memorandum in exchange for Ukraine’s refusal of the status of nuclear state (see more: Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances – https://en.wikipedia.org/…/Budapest_Memorandum_on_Security_…).
Keeping in mind that the one who has broken Budapest memorandum promises was Russia as Budapest memorandum signatory, we believe that Budapest memorandum format summit had to discuss this topic immediately after the annexation of Crimea by Russia.
Unfortunately, neither Ukraine as a victim nor any other country that signed Budapest memorandum (United Kingdom, China, USA, France) initiated summit in Budapest format. In our opinion, it was a big mistake.
Although many opportunities were lost and war in Eastern Ukraine caused many casualties and devastation, escalation of war is in progress. Therefore, we believe that prompt summit convocation in Budapest memorandum format can and should start the process of effective termination of war, Russian aggression and recovery of territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Countries — signatories of Budapest memorandum therefore could trigger transforming the Memorandum into a full international agreement (treaty) with the purpose of real guarantees security and territorial integrity of Ukraine and other countries.
Finally, participants of Budapest memorandum format could initiate call for the next conference on security and cooperation in Europe in order to review and update the current treaty taking into account the aggressive behavior of Russia on international arena.
We appeal to the public, parliaments and government of the countries – signatories of the Budapest memorandum immediate convene a summit to discuss this matter.
Materials and official documents related to our initiative will be available soon on an Ukrainian University resource (Ukrainian University Club – http://www.ukrainianuniversity.club).
On this resource our Budapest Memorandum Initiative email account has been created as well – budapest.format.initiative@ukrainianuniversity.club.
Meanwhile, Budapest Memorandum Initiative working group is being formed. We invite politicians, public figures, diplomats and intellectuals of countries – signatories of Budapest memorandum and countries – participants of Norman format to join us.
Here are the nearest main tasks of this group:
1) to work out the text of appeal to the public, governments and parliaments of countries – signatories of Budapest memorandum with a call for a summit;
2) to create working subgroups in the respective countries for establishing contacts and working relations with Ukrainian communities, local intellectuals, general public, governments and parliaments.
We are working to get the consent of one of the well-known American politicians to lead our Initiative. We are already considering a few candidates. If you have proposals for candidates and have connections with them, we will appreciate your help as well.
To achieve our goal, we are planning a wide range of activities: public lectures and speeches, round table expert discussions, research and practical conferences, and public events (rallies, marches, etc) as well.
Organizing and managing of these measures needs some money. Therefore, we welcome donation and sponsorship contributions. They can be done through Ukrainian University (https://www.paypal.me/ukrainianuniversity) or Leadership International Foundation (http://www.paypal.me/leadershipintl). Make sure to add a purpose of your donation or contribution: “Budapest Format Initiative”.
If you want to send a check or transfer funds to our bank account, please, contact us via private message or email, and we will provide you additional information.
Ukrainian University and Leadership International Foundation are non-profit legal entities. In accordance with United States laws, donations and sponsorship contributions are tax deductible.
While preparing a resource base, our Initiative is already being discussed on the Facebook page — Budapest Format Initiative (https://www.facebook.com/BudapestFormatInitiative/) and in the Facebook group — Budapest Format for Ukraine (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1745244575766624/).
Please, join the discussions and invite to join all who may be interested in this subject.
If you want to join the initiative (working) group or a subgroup in a respective country, please, contact us in private or via email shown below with the following information: name (Ukrainian and English), title, position, email, phone and Skype.
We also welcome your suggestions and advices. If your organization or institution want to become a sponsor of the entire initiative or some of our activities, please, provide its full name, the name of its head and contact information.
I am open for personal meetings in the greater Washington, DC area, as well as for public appearances in front of Ukrainian communities and groups of American politicians, public figures and intellectual on the territory of the United States. Travels abroad shall be considered.
The last, but not least. As one who over the long time promotes the idea of Budapest format, I assumed responsibility this initiative’s coordinator until I can be replaced by a candidate who will perform these functions better. In any case I will be an active member of this project to its successful implementation.
This is how we will win! Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Heroes!
Prof. Dr. Volodymyr Ivanenko,
Budapest Format Initiative Coordinator,
Ukrainian University & Leadership International Foundation President & Co-Founder.
Email:
budapest.format.initiative@ukrainianuniversity.club
ukrainianuniversity@gmail.com
leadership.foundation@yahoo.com
July 24, 2017.
Washington, USA