Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is pleading with Russia to remove its troops from war-torn eastern Ukraine.
President Poroshenko made his comments Thursday at the outset of a three-day visit to Australia, a key Western ally. Speaking to reporters, he said if Russia closes its border with Ukraine, there will be "peace and stability" within weeks.
Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of providing arms and soldiers to rebels who are fighting the Kyiv government. Russia has firmly denied the accusation. It says any Russian soldiers in the area are there on their own accord.
Ukraine on Wednesday ruled out holding peace talks this week, saying the rebels are not interested in a negotiated settlement. The talks were expected to take place Friday in Belarus, but Kyiv said this was impossible after the separatists violated a cease-fire.
The Ukrainian military reported Wednesday that separatists launched 12 attacks just 24 hours after both sides began observing a halt in hostilities dubbed the "Day of Silence." It said the rebels used grenade launchers, anti-tank guided missiles, mortars, small arms and a tank weapon.
The "Day of Silence" was designed to encourage both sides to observe the wider cease-fire agreed to in September, which has been marred by sporadic fighting, and then begin pulling back their heavy weaponry from the front line to form a buffer zone.
President Poroshenko made his comments Thursday at the outset of a three-day visit to Australia, a key Western ally. Speaking to reporters, he said if Russia closes its border with Ukraine, there will be "peace and stability" within weeks.
Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of providing arms and soldiers to rebels who are fighting the Kyiv government. Russia has firmly denied the accusation. It says any Russian soldiers in the area are there on their own accord.
Ukraine on Wednesday ruled out holding peace talks this week, saying the rebels are not interested in a negotiated settlement. The talks were expected to take place Friday in Belarus, but Kyiv said this was impossible after the separatists violated a cease-fire.
The Ukrainian military reported Wednesday that separatists launched 12 attacks just 24 hours after both sides began observing a halt in hostilities dubbed the "Day of Silence." It said the rebels used grenade launchers, anti-tank guided missiles, mortars, small arms and a tank weapon.
The "Day of Silence" was designed to encourage both sides to observe the wider cease-fire agreed to in September, which has been marred by sporadic fighting, and then begin pulling back their heavy weaponry from the front line to form a buffer zone.
http://www.voanews.com/content/ukraine-president-urges-russia-to-withdraw-troops/2554563.html
11/12/14
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Ukrainian President Poroshenko wants Russian-Ukrainian border closed ...
ReplyDeletePresident of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko appealed to the Russian administration with a requirement to close the Russian-Ukrainian border. According to Poroshenko, such a move will establish peace in the region quickly.
"Please, withdraw your troops from my territory," he said, addressing to Russia at the press conference in Australia.
According to the Kommersant, Poroshenko continued: "Please, close the border. And I promise that if you close the border, then within one, two or three weeks, peace and stability in Ukraine will restore. It's very simple," Poroshenko said. "I want to make it clear that Ukraine is waging this war not only for independence and territorial integrity. We are waging the war for freedom, democracy and peace," Interfax quoted the Ukrainian president as saying.....................http://english.pravda.ru/news/hotspots/11-12-2014/129282-poroshenko_russian_ukrainioan_border-0/#.VInBoskYE9Q
11/12/14
Ukrainian president slams India over Crimean leader visit...
ReplyDelete(Reuters) - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko lashed out at India on Friday over a visit by the leader of Crimea, the former Ukrainian territory annexed by Russia, who accompanied President Vladimir Putin's annual summit delegation this week.
India does not back Western sanctions against Russia, and the unofficial trip by Sergey Aksyonov could spoil the mood before Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosts U.S. President Barack Obama for India's Republic Day festivities in January.
Poroshenko, addressing the Lowy Institute think tank in Sydney, said India was placing more importance on "money" than "values" by welcoming Aksyanov, and it was not standing with "civilization" against Russian aggression..............http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/12/us-india-russia-crimea-idUSKBN0JP1AM20141212?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews