Ukraine-Russia: President Zelensky rejects Vladimir Putin’s “violation of sovereignty”

the president of UkraineVolodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of violating the territorial integrity of his country by recognizing the independence of the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, where the Kremlin will also deploy troops supposedly to pacify Donbas.

“All responsibility for the consequences of such a decision rests with the leadership of Russia,” Zelensky said during a televised address.

Zelensky, that the first thing he did when the Russian announcement was made known was to telephone the US president, Joe Biden, and convening the National Security and Defense Council urgently, was referring to the unanimous international condemnation and the imminent Western sanctions against Moscow.

THE DONBAS IS UKRAINIAN TERRITORY

“Ukraine unequivocally qualifies the latest actions of Russia as a violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State” denounced the Ukrainian president.

At the same time, he stressed that “Russia’s statements and actions” they will not be able to modify the internationally recognized borders of their country.

Zelensky stressed that the decision of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, it may mean Russia’s unilateral renunciation of the Minsk Peace Agreements and the decisions taken with Germany and France in the Normandy format.

“That undermines peace efforts and destroys the current negotiating formats”he pointed.

In February 2015, the Minsk Agreements, signed with French and German mediation, put an end to the large-scale war in Donbas and established a ceasefire between the Ukrainian Army and pro-Russian militias that has been repeatedly violated.

RUSSIAN MILITARY INTERVENTION

In addition, he denounced that, with today’s decision “Russia legalizes its troops, who were in the occupied territories of Donbas since 2014”alluding to Moscow’s covert military support for the armed uprising in Donbas.

Zelensky stressed that Ukraine continues to bet on peace and a political-diplomatic settlement of the conflict, and insisted that his country will not fall “in no provocation”.

“Under article 51 of the UN, Ukraine reserves the right for individual and collective self-defense. We know how to distinguish very well the provocations and the offensives of the enemy troops”, he added.

While assuring that he will never hide the truth from the people in the event of increased risks to his security, he stressed that “Now there is no reason for chaotic actions.”

THE UN, THE LAST RESORT

Zelensky stressed that he had urgently called a meeting of the UN Security Councilanother of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and a summit of the Normandy Format.

And he was convinced that the territory of Ukraine is “solidly defended”although almost 150,000 Russian soldiers are deployed on its border, including land, sea and air troops, to which must now be added the contingent sent by Putin to Donbas.

Kiev denounces that Moscow and the rebels orchestrated a disinformation campaign about an impending Ukrainian offensive, which led the rebels to announce the general mobilization of older men and the evacuation of the civilian population to Russia.

Next, the pro-Russian leaders asked the head of the Kremlin for recognition of their independence, who announced his decision on Monday after an intervention on television.

THE UKRAINIANS, READY TO RETAKE THEIR ARMS

Hours before Putin’s announcement was made known, former volunteers who fought in Donbas were willing to take up arms to fight Russia in the east of the country.

“The Army has improved a lot. The most important thing is that we already have experience on the battlefield. Psychologically, we are more prepared. We are ready to die for Ukraine”, Yevgueni commented to Efe in the center of Kiev.

Consider that Putin “he’s completely crazy”so the attack can come “from anywhere”.

“I have to be grateful to Putin for one thing. He has managed to unite us. That wasn’t there eight years ago”, he highlighted.

Meanwhile, Yaroslav, who participated in both the Maidan revolution and the conflict in Donbas, warned that the Ukrainian people are ready to fightr “against Putin, but not all”.

“I calculate that 60% yes, but the other 40% are sold and will receive the Russian tanks with flowers”, he pointed sadly.