Putin "Dispatch of Russian Troops"... Ukraine "Border Line Will Not Change"

President Zelensky "Waiting for Western Partners' Measures"

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (left), and Vladimir Putin, President of Russia. /Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Yeeun] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia's recognition of independence for the pro-Russian separatist regions within Ukraine and its decision to deploy peacekeeping forces, stating that Ukraine will never give up any of its territory.

In a national address on the morning of the 22nd (local time), President Zelensky said, "Russia's actions are an infringement on Ukraine's integrity and sovereignty," emphasizing, "No matter what Russia decides, Ukraine's borders will not change from what they are now."

He argued that Russia's move signifies a complete withdrawal from the 2015 Minsk Agreement, criticizing it as "destroying peaceful efforts and the existing negotiation framework." The Minsk Agreement was brokered under the mediation of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to establish a ceasefire between the Ukrainian government forces and the pro-Russian separatists supported by Russia in the Donbas region (Donetsk and Luhansk provinces) of eastern Ukraine.

President Zelensky added, "The Russian Federation has effectively legalized the presence of its troops stationed in Donbas since 2014," and stated, "We want peace and support political and diplomatic solutions."

He called on allied countries to impose clear and effective sanctions against Russia and proposed an urgent summit involving the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany, and France.

Furthermore, he said, "The Normandy Four emergency meeting has been convened," and added, "We are awaiting decisive and effective measures from our (Western) partners." The 'Normandy Four' refers to the quadrilateral talks held in 2015 between Russia, Ukraine, France, and Germany to discuss solutions to the Donbas conflict.

Donbas, the 'Detonator' of the Ukraine War.
Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, on the same day (22nd), Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the Ministry of Defense to deploy Russian troops to the separatist republics in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region to carry out peacekeeping duties.

He ordered, "In response to the request from the head of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), the Russian Ministry of Defense is to use Russian troops to perform peacekeeping functions in the DPR until a 'Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance' is concluded." Through the order recognizing the independence of the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), he issued the same directive to the Ministry of Defense.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.