On February 22, 2014, a special meeting was held attended by 116 members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The following statement was adopted by the majority vote.
The staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expresses deep condolences to the families of the victims, including our colleague Olena Vlasenko, who lost her husband Andriy Chernenko.
In view of the resolution by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on relieving of the President of Ukraine of his constitutional powers, we believe that the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Leonid Kozhara does not have the moral authority to continue to represent Ukraine in the international arena. Therefore, we appeal to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to appoint immediately an executive responsible for carrying out the duties of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. Meanwhile, the diplomatic service of Ukraine will continue to perform its functions in the interest of the nation and the citizens of Ukraine.
We deny strongly certain public statements that a coup d’etat occurred in Ukraine. We condemn attempts to question the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.
We urge our colleagues in embassies and consulates of Ukraine to provide objective information for our international partners about the events in Ukraine and to continue to assist in the organization of medical treatment abroad for injured Ukrainians. We emphasize that our telephone hotline functions around the clock. To reach us call +380-44-238-1657.
This statement is posted on the Facebook page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and is open for signatures. It now contains more than 85 signatures of Ukrainian diplomats.
Translated by Anna Mostovych
Edited by Mariana Budjeryn. Assisted by Michael Donovan
