Georgian leaders condemn Russia-backed attack in Eastern Ukraine
Georgia condemns Russia’s “temporary occupation and annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol” and the attempts “to forcefully change the internationally recognised borders of Ukraine”.Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda/ge
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Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili and Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani joined other world leaders in condemning the recent attacks by the Russia-backed forces in Eastern Ukraine.
The return of intense hostilities in Eastern Ukraine is a violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty. I am concerned by this step backward, deplore this tragic development and share the emotion of the Ukrainian people.
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) February 18, 2020
Reportedly, Russia-backed forces attacked the positions of Ukrainian Joint Forces near Zolote, a front-line village in the Luhansk region of Donbas earlier today.
However, BBC reported that the Russia-backed rebels said that the Ukrainian forces attempted to break through their lines and got caught in a minefield, with two killed and three wounded.
Deeply concerned over reports of Russian-backed attack on Ukrainian strongholds near #Zolote today. Military escalation undermine efforts towards peaceful settlement and ruin any progress in this process @MFA_Ukraine @VPrystaiko
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) February 18, 2020
Ukrainian Ambassador to the Euroepean Union Mykola Tochytskyi has informed the EU about the new Russian attack in Donbas.
Yet another Russia’s cynical attack in Donbas. Today RU forces and its proxies launched an offence and heavy shellings of UA positions w/ weapons banned by Minsk agr.
— Mykola Tochytskyi (@tochytskyi) February 18, 2020
1 UA military killed, 4 wounded.
We informed EU ab/ Russia's escalation and urged partners to react resolutely. pic.twitter.com/V4jPPd0Soj
Estonian, Lithuanian and Latvian officials have also shared their concern.