KOSOVO ISJ RESOLUTION AT UNGA: UKRAINIAN MFA VIEWS

C O N F I D E N T I A L KYIV 001999 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/07/2018 TAGS: PREL UNGA UN KV UP SUBJECT: KOSOVO ISJ RESOLUTION AT UNGA: UKRAINIAN MFA VIEWS REF: STATE 105796 Classified By: Ambassador William Taylor. Reasons: 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) Ambassador delivered reftel demarche, on Serbia's resolution to refer a question on the legality of Kosovo's declaration of independence to the ICJ, to First Deputy Foreign Minister Volodymyr Khandogiy on October 7. Khandogiy replied that Ukraine had not yet taken a position on the issue. If the EU comes out with a unified position, Ukraine would likely vote with the EU. If the EU does not come to a consensus, then Ukraine would "take into account" the US view. ¶2. (C) Khandogiy added that, whatever the merits of the case, he was sympathetic to the notion that Serbia had the right to appeal to international institutions such as the ICJ for a legal opinion. Ambassador reiterated that, while the US is confident that the recognition of Kosovo is consistent with international law, introducing this element of uncertainty would detract from stability in the Balkans. TAYLOR