The Russian-backed leader of the breakaway Donetsk region said today that he wanted to settle its border with Ukraine peacefully but reserved the right to ask for Russia’s help.
Denis Pushilin, leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic recognized by Russia this week, said he was in favor of dialogue with Ukraine in the first place.
However, he said in a press conference that the situation in their long-term conflict has become critical and 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.
“Aggression on the Ukrainian side is growing,” Pushilin said, accusing Kiev of “provoking” and causing civilian casualties.
Ukraine denies separatist allegations that it is fueling the conflict in order to retake its 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.
“The mobilization is growing, 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 said the Russian army would not enter the two self-proclaimed regions of Ukraine unless asked to do so by separatist leaders there.
Turchak said 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 a series of military vehicles, including tanks, early yesterday, Tuesday, on the outskirts of Donetsk, the capital of one of the two self-proclaimed regions, following 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: AMPE
Source: Capital
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