Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy: “We are not afraid”

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy reacted cautiously to the deployment of Russian troops. “We remain true to the peaceful and diplomatic path,” he says – and asks Europe for support.

At around 2 a.m. in the morning, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the people of Ukraine with a short speech via video. “We will not cede any territory,” he said hoarsely.

Recognizing the independence of the occupied regions of Donetsk and Luhansk may mean that Russia unilaterally withdraws from the Minsk accords and ignores the decisions made within the framework of the Normandy talks. This undermines peace efforts and destroys existing negotiation formats.

legalize troops

The National Security and Defense Council of the President of Ukraine assessed the actions of the Russian Federation as a clear violation of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “With today’s decisions – and with possible tomorrow’s – Russia will legalize its troops, which have actually been in the occupied territories of the Donbass since 2014. A country that has supported the war for eight years cannot keep the peace, how it claims.”

The entire responsibility for all consequences in this connection lies with the political leadership of Russia. Moscow has thus terminated the Minsk peace agreement.

Minsk agreements

The Ukrainian constitutional lawyer Andrij Magera also sees it that way. Signed in 2015 by France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine, the agreement should gradually lead to peace in Donbass. “I think the Minsk agreements are no longer valid, considering that the subject matter of the agreements no longer exists. The Russian Federation considers these individual parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions to be separate states,” he says.

“Ukraine, France and Germany must witness the death of the Minsk agreement at the hands of Russia. It is important to make it clear who is responsible for the failure of these agreements. So that the whole world understands whose fault it is.”

Concrete steps are needed to ensure the country’s security, according to Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Ukraine has requested a special session of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Crisis calls by Zelensky

President Selenskyj spent the evening on crisis phone calls – with EU Council President Charles Michel and numerous heads of state and government. Including US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron. They condemned Russia’s actions as violating Ukraine’s territorial integrity and violating international law.

It is hoped that the recognition of the occupied territories will not lead to new military actions and bloodshed, the OSCE said. She monitors the ceasefire in Ukraine, which is actually no longer being observed.

President Zelenskyy appealed to the people to remain calm. There is no reason for a sleepless night. “Right now there is no reason for chaotic actions and we will do everything to keep it that way,” he said.

“We remain faithful to the peaceful and diplomatic path. We are on our ground, we are not afraid of anything or anyone. And we are convinced of it, because it is not February 2014, but February 2022,” said Zelenskyy. “We are a different country and we have a different army and a single goal: peace. Peace in Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine.”