Poroshenko: Putin is creating an 'Aleppo' in the Donbas
In an interview with the newspaper Bild, President Petro Poroshenko accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of creating of a Ukrainian ‘Aleppo’ in the Donbas, where Poroshenko claims separatists are deliberately attacking civilians.
"The situation in some parts of eastern Ukraine is dramatic. We have clear evidence that civilians are deliberately being attacked. Putin is creating a Ukrainian Aleppo there," he said.
According to him, Ukraine has tried many agreements, but Moscow does not comply with them.
"In recent years I have tried many agreements, but Russia at the same time has never complied with them. Actually it's very simple. If Putin abides by the Minsk agreement; if, finally, troops are withdrawn from our country; there will be peace. But unfortunately, this is not the case at the moment,” he said.
Poroshenko also accused Putin of violating the Minsk agreements.
“The reason that the Minsk peace agreement has not worked has a name – Putin. We in Ukraine have done all we can to bring peace - we changed laws and abided by the agreement, but Russia continues to kill. The promises given by the Russian government, they violate on a daily basis," said the president.
He noted that sanctions against Moscow should be expanded, and that the Russian recognition of separatist-issued passports and documents is the main proof of Russia's influence in the Donbas.
"It is unthinkable that Russia now officially recognizes passports from the occupied territories. This is the greatest proof of Russian influence," he added.
At the Munich conference, the Ukrainian president said that Putin has a deep hatred for Ukraine.