Rada against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vladimir Ohryzko was dismissed by parliament on March 3. 250 deputies out of 429 (with 226 required) voted in favor. Ogryzko, according to parliamentarians, primarily communists, as well as members of the Party of Regions faction who supported them, demonstrated unprofessionalism and cave nationalism. The first relates to the consideration by the International Court of Justice in The Hague of the case on determining the status of Snake Island, which is the subject of a dispute between Ukraine and Romania. The second is a “dangerous” aggravation of relations between Ukraine and Russia, in particular, a scandal with promises to accuse Russian Ambassador Viktor Chernomyrdin as persona non grata. As for Zmeiny Island, Ogryzko was pleased with himself, but the deputies did not share his satisfaction. The minister stated that the decision of the UN court was a “joint Ukrainian-Romanian victory,” while speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn emphasized that the decision was made in favor of Romania. Ogryzko said that the court confirmed the legality of Ukraine’s ownership of the island. Lytvyn – that the coastline of the island is not included in the territory of Ukraine. (The court recognized Snake Island, but refused to recognize that it affects the determination of the median line in delimiting the continental shelf and exclusive economic zones of Ukraine and Romania in the Black Sea.) In general, the minister was not surprised by the Rada’s decision. He was criticized very harshly for his statements against Chernomyrdin.