Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations Volodymyr Yelchenko has called on the OSCE to pay increased attention to the situation of human rights in the temporarily occupied Crimea, where the Russian government is committing brutal repressions. He made such a statement at a meeting of the UN Security Council on the priorities of the Austrian presidency of the OSCE.

"We encourage the OSCE to pay close attention to the rights of people in the occupied territory of Crimea, where Russia is conducting unprecedented repressions," Yelchenko said. He said "instead of full and good faith implementation of the Minsk commitments, Russia resorts to political and military provocations, blackmail and political pressure."

In addition, the permanent representative said that the continued aggression of Russia against Ukraine and its negative effects are among the main threats to security in Europe.