Zelensky informs Macron of the deteriorating situation in Donbas
The President of Ukraine, Volodímir Zelenski, informed his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, on Saturday of the deterioration of the situation in the east of the country, where for days the Ukrainian military and pro-Russian separatists have accused each other of attacks with heavy weapons.
“I had an urgent conversation with President Emmanuel Macron,” Zelensky wrote on his Twitter account after participating in the Munich Security Conference. The Ukrainian president added that he had told his French counterpart about the worsening of the situation in the line of separation of forces in the east of the country, the losses that Ukraine has suffered and an attack by the rebels against foreign politicians and journalists. “We discussed the need and possible ways for an immediate de-escalation and a political-diplomatic agreement,” Zelensky wrote in his message.
Two Ukrainian soldiers died this Saturday from shrapnel wounds after two separate rebel attacks with artillery pieces, mortar and grenade launchers, while a civilian was injured on the other side of the front.
In addition, the Minister of the Interior, Denis Monastirski, and a group of foreign reporters had to seek refuge after being attacked while inspecting an area near the front.
The authorities of the self-proclaimed people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk also denounced numerous violations of the ceasefire by Kiev, which Moscow accused of genocide of the pro-Russian population. One of the bombardments with mortar shells reached the suburbs of Donetsk, according to the separatists, who also denounced subversive actions against civilian infrastructure.
Macron will hold a telephone conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Sunday to address tensions in eastern Ukraine. (Eph)
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