President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the citizens of the country on Tuesday, February 22, and announced that he had initiated an emergency meeting of the Normandy Four summit.
“I initiated the holding of the UN Security Council, the holding of a special meeting of the OSCE. We insist on the full-fledged work of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to prevent provocations and further escalation. I also initiated an emergency meeting of the Normandy Four summit,” Zelensky said in a video message to the nation posted on Telegram.
The Ukrainian president stressed that the country would remain within the borders recognized by the international community, and they would remain the same, “despite any statements and actions of the Russian Federation.” He added that Kiev regards the latest actions of Russia – the recognition of the independence of the republics of Donbass – as “a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state.”
“All responsibility for the consequences in connection with the mentioned decisions rests with the political leadership of Russia.<...> Recognition of the independence of the occupied regions of Donetsk and Luhansk regions may mean Russia’s unilateral withdrawal from the Minsk agreements and ignoring decisions within the Normandy format,” he continued.
Zelensky noted that Ukraine is faithful to the “peaceful and diplomatic path” and will continue to follow it for the sole purpose of peace in the country.
“We expect clear and effective actions from our partners. This is the time that will show who is our friend and who will continue to scare the Russian Federation with words,” the Ukrainian leader stressed.
On Monday, February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees recognizing the independence of the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics. In addition, the Russian leader, the heads of the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics Leonid Pasechnik and Denis Pushilin signed an agreement on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance.
The signing of the documents was the result of an extraordinary meeting of the Russian Security Council, during which its members unanimously supported the recognition of the independence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics.
The situation on the line of contact in Donbass escalated on February 17. The DPR and LPR reported heavy shelling by Ukrainian security forces, including with heavy weapons. At the same time, Kiev announced the shelling of the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Since 2014, the Ukrainian authorities have been conducting a military operation against the inhabitants of Donbass, who refused to recognize the results of the coup d’état and the new government in Ukraine. At the same time, Kiev blames Moscow for the current situation. Russia has repeatedly stated that it is not a party to the intra-Ukrainian conflict. The issues of its settlement are being discussed in the Minsk and Normandy formats.
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