“Naturally, the president of Ukraine wants to settle [the crisis], I have no doubts of his determination to do that. But he is not the only one [political force] there. We can now hear statements by other officials urging to ‘fight to the bitter end.’ There are too many belligerent statements,” he told reporters during an annual press conference.
In addition, Turchynov, along with Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, stressed that Ukraine was ready to declare martial law should the armed conflict intensify.
A military conflict has unfolded in Ukraine following a February coup in which a West-leaning government came to power. Kiev launched special operation against those that refused to recognize the legitimacy of the new government by establishing their own self-proclaimed republics in eastern Ukraine – the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and the Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR).
According to the United Nations, more than 4,700 people have died and over 10,000 have been wounded in eastern Ukraine's armed conflict over the past nine months, with 1,357 killed since a truce between the opposing sides was announced in September in Minsk.
Donbas economic blockade "destructive"
In mid-November, Poroshenko signed a decree imposing an economic blockade on eastern Ukraine and withdrawing all state-funded health, educational and social protection organizations from the Donbas region. The decree also terminated banking services in the DPR and the LPR, freezing the accounts of people and companies.
"Instead of making any attempt of launching political dialogue with them [Donbas] they first started using law enforcement agencies, police. When all this proved unsuccessful they resorted to the army. When even this attempt failed they are now trying to use the issue by force using economic blockade," Putin said during a press conference.
"I believe this path is absolutely futile and destructive for both Ukraine's statehood and people," the Russian president stressed.
Eastern Ukrainian residents must be able to decide own fate
Putin added that residents of the self-proclaimed eastern Ukrainian republics, who had established an alliance called Novorossiya in spring to create a united front against Kiev, had the right to decide their future under the internationally accepted right of self-determination.
"We must follow the general principles of the international law, and the people of Novorossiya have the right to decide their own fate," he said.
Establishment of common humanitarian space needed
“Our very harsh position on well-known crisis situations, including Ukraine, should make our partners understand that the most correct path is to stop building walls and start building a common humanitarian space, a security space, and economic freedom,” Putin said.
Several months of military confrontation between the opposing sides in eastern Ukraine have led to the region’s acute humanitarian situation. in November, Donbas leaders claimed they were ready for economic cooperation with Ukraine, and said they hoped to establish a common economic, humanitarian and political space.
Russia to continue sending humanitarian aid to Donbas
Russian leader said that Russia would continue providing humanitarian assistance to Donbas, which was suffering from severe humanitarian crisis.
“We will of course help people [of Donbas], just like we are doing it now. You know that the 10th humanitarian convoy has been sent,” Putin said during the annual press conference.
Since August, Russia has sent 10 humanitarian convoys carrying over 12,000 tons of aid to the eastern Ukrainian regions. The convoys have delivered food, water, medication, as well as power generators and construction materials to the crisis-hit areas of eastern Ukraine.
All prisoners must be swapped
“Everyone insists on a prisoner exchange. In my opinion, all should be swapped for all. But life is harder,” Russian leader said.
The all-for-all prisoner exchange was agreed between the Kiev government and eastern Ukrainian independence supporters at a Contact Group meeting on the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis in Minsk in September. Since the agreement was made in September, several prisoner exchanges between Kiev and the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics have already taken place.
Current situation in Ukraine
When responding to a reporter’s question on current situation in Ukraine, Putin stressed that Ukrainian military had not been withdrawn from positions it should have left.
“Ukrainian officials are not withdrawing their troops from the posts, from where they should have been withdrawn… for example, from the Donetsk Airport,” Putin said, adding that he hopes both sides will reach an agreement.
Putin concluded the news conference by saying that if Kiev wanted to restore peace in Ukraine, it must respect the interests of Donbas residents. The Russian leader expressed hope that Ukrainian authorities would hold an open political dialogue with representatives of eastern Ukrainian regions, so that the country would finally be able to reach a political settlement.
