U.S. concerned by surge of violence in the Donbas
On the 20th of December, the Spokesperson for the United States Department of State, John Kirby, stated at a briefing that the U.S. Administration expresses its concern over the escalation of tensions in eastern Ukraine. “The United States is deeply concerned by the recent upsurge of violence in eastern Ukraine,” Kirby said.
“Over the past two days, six Ukrainian servicemen were killed and 33 were injured during attempts by pro-Russian separatists to seize more territory from Ukraine. This the highest loss rate for a two-day period since June 2015,” John Kirby noted. At the same time, the Spokesperson of the United States Department of State called these events a clear violation of Russia’s obligations under the Minsk Agreements.
John Kirby also called on Moscow to influence separatists to end the violence and provide OSCE observers with unhindered access to the conflict zone.
“We strongly support the efforts of the Trilateral Contact Group to achieve a ceasefire by means of negotiations in order to allow Ukrainians, who are on both sides of the contact line, to live in security and peace, especially during this festive time which we believe to be favorable for the achievement of this kind of truce,” Kirby stated.
The President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, previously informed the Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, of the situation in the Donbas. In particular, Poroshenko discussed the fight in Svetlogorsk with Biden during a telephone conversation.