Ukraine is not preparing a forceful military operation to de-occupy Donbas. Kiev remains committed to a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
This was stated in a commentary to RBC-Ukraine by the speaker of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Oleg Nikolenko.
In particular, he commented on today's statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin that Ukraine is allegedly preparing another military operation in Donbas. According to him, this does not correspond to reality.
"Ukraine exclusively seeks peace," Nikolenko said.
He stressed that the Ukrainian leadership is trying to move the Normandy process, and the delegation in the Trilateral Contact Group and the head of the Office of the President Andrei Yermak did everything to achieve a ceasefire.
"We urge the Russian Federation to concentrate on implementing the ceasefire agreements and ending the international armed conflict in eastern Ukraine. People on both sides of the line of separation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions deserve peace and calm, especially on New Year's Eve," Nikolenko added.
Commenting on Western fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, Putin said that he had the impression that Ukraine was allegedly preparing a military operation in Donbas.
