PETRO POROSHENKO: RUSSIA IS WAGING HYBRID WAR WITH UKRAINE

KIEV, Ukraine – President of Ukraine, Mr. Petro Poroshenko has accused Russia of waging hybrid war with Ukraine. The President made the remarks at a joint press conference with U.S Secretary of State, Rex W. Tillerson in Kiev.

He described the visit as a powerful signal of support for Ukraine in its joint fight for democratic values, for freedom and for democracy.

“ And we are confident that Russia must demonstrate its goodwill to the peaceful settlement in Donbas and will stop killings, will stop the war, will stop hybrid attacks not only in the east of our country, not only in the Crimea, but would improve the situation with cyber crime and propaganda and other trade and economic wars, which is a part of the Russian hybrid war”, he said adding that Russia is yet to demonstrate any change in behavior.
He explained that Ukraine did not start the war with Russia.

“I underscore Kiev did not plan, did not start this war. Ukrainian troops are not present in the Russian territory. We did not plan the war. We did not start it. It was planned and started in Moscow. That’s why the keys to peaceful settlement are in Moscow. We want to clearly state that we are determined to peaceful process, and most than anything else we strive for peace”, he said. He explained that in an earlier meeting with President Donald Trump of the United States, parties talked in detail about the current sanctions on Russia.

“We were assured that until all conditions of the Minsk agreements are fulfilled and Ukrainian territory is liberated, there is no talking about lifting sanctions.
“Though I assured and my point of view fully coincides with Mr. Secretary of State’s position that there is hardly any person that would be more interested to lift sanctions that Ukrainian president, because sanctions are connected to peace and liberation of the Ukrainian territory, and I am striving this more than anything else”, he said, adding that illegal annexation of Crimea was also top of the agenda and condition for lifting sanctions on Russia.

He also spoke on bilateral trade between the U.S and Ukraine, most especially the purchase of the American coal and the construction on nuclear waste plant processing as well as nuclear fuel for Ukrainian Energoatom company, and bringing investors in the oil and gas sector.

“ I would like to say thank you especially for cooperation in energy sector, especially in preventing the realization of political project of Northern Stream 2, and I appreciate the clear and efficient position in preventing the implementation of this highly politicized project”, he said.

In his reaction, Rex Tillerson said the United States’ goals are first and foremost to restore Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty and integrity.

“The United States has already contributed more than $600 million since the beginning of this crisis. We also think it’s very important that we seek the safety and the security of all Ukrainian citizens regardless of their ethnicity, their nationality, or their religion. This is a fundamental element to Ukraine’s sovereignty as well and the protection of all Ukrainian citizens.

“I’ve been very clear in my discussions with Russian leadership on more than one occasion that it is necessary for Russia to take the first steps to de-escalate the situation in the east part of Ukraine, in particular by respecting the ceasefire, by pulling back the heavy weapons, and allowing the OSCE observers to carry out their responsibilities. This is necessary for us to make any movement in particular.

He said Trump has made it quite clear that making progress and ultimately solving the crisis here in Ukraine and restoring the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Ukraine is required in order for the U.S. and Russia to improve its relationships between the two of our countries.