Ukrainian President Poroshenko: Russia continues to ignore its obligations
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said at a meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) that Russia's behavior towards Ukraine has not changed over the past three years, that Russia continues to ignore its commitments, and that it [Russia] does not intend to return to the international legal order, as reported on the President's website.
Poroshenko noted that, as a former Ukrainian Representative at PACE, he understands what responsibility lies on the shoulders of the members of the Assembly, "especially under the present circumstances…manifestations of extreme populism, numerous cyber-attacks, direct armed aggression, and aggressive information campaigns." The President stressed that he counts on PACE’s support of Ukraine.
"I would have liked to speak sincerely today before you with the words, that the war against my country is over, [and] that within the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine, military actions and a daring occupation of parts of our sovereign territory were over ... Unfortunately, and in more than three years since my speech before you, we are still not close to that perspective," Poroshenko said.
He stressed that it is necessary to continue to search for a response to Russian aggression through joint efforts.
"At the same time, Russia pretends that the discussions are not about [its role]. Moscow continues to ignore its obligations under the Minsk accords. Its troops are still in Ukraine, both in the Crimea and in the Donbas. And weapons are also being delivered to the illegal militias Russia has organized," Poroshenko noted.
Earlier, Poroshenko had said that he expects the newly elected PACE president, Stella Kyriakides, not to violate the principles upon which the organization is based.