Donetsk: separatists want talks with Ukraine – But do not rule out need for help from Russia

Its Russian-backed leader secessionist Donetsk region He stressed on Wednesday (23/2) that he wants to settle its borders with Ukraine peacefully, while reserving his right to ask for Russia’s help.

Dennis Pushilin, who leads the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic that was recognized by Russia following a decision by Vladimir Putin He noted that he was in favor of dialogue with Ukraine in the first place.

During a press conference, he stressed that the situation in their long-term conflict has become critical and that the separatists will win with the support of “Greater Russia”.

Russia’s recognition of Donetsk’s independence and the neighboring self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Luhansk is considered illegal by Western countries that have imposed new sanctions on Moscow.

“Kiev is provoking and causing civilian casualties”

“Aggression on the Ukrainian side is growing,” Pushilin said, but accused Kiev of “provoking” and causing civilian casualties.

THE Ukraine rejects the separatists’ accusations that it fuels the conflict in order to retake their territory by force.

Pushilin said the evacuation of women and children, which began last week, was necessary so that the separatist army could focus on defending the borders of their region.

“Mobilization is increasing, we see that. “Both former militiamen and ordinary men can not stand aside when the fate of Donbass is decided,” he said.

Speaking next to Pushilin, Andrei Turchak, a senior member of Russia’s ruling party, said that no power in the world could change the legal effect of Russia’s recognition.

Turchak said it was unlikely that any agreement could be reached with the current Ukrainian government. He told Pushkin that Russia would not abandon its people.

Turchak stressed, among other things, that the Russian army would not enter the two self-proclaimed regions of Ukraine unless asked to do so by separatist leaders there.

Turchak noted that any development of the Russian army would be “peaceful in nature.”

Turchak and Denis Pushilin told reporters that the Russian military still has no presence in the Russian-backed separatist areas, despite Western accusations that Moscow has had a covert military presence there for years.

An eyewitness to Reuters saw rows of military vehicles including tanks early yesterday, Tuesdayon the outskirts of Donetsk, the capital of one of the two self-proclaimed regions, after the recognition of their independence by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A Reuters reporter saw about five tanks in a row on the outskirts of the city and two more in another part of the city. No badges were visible.

Pushilin told reporters that separatist forces in Donbas were not in a position to try to expand their territory and would prefer to resolve any border demarcation issues with Ukraine peacefully.

Source: News Beast

You may also like