CherryPanda
Senior Member
- Aug 12, 2014
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NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg issued a statement saying the offensive "is in utter disregard of the cease-fire." He said Russian troops have been supporting rebel operations with air defense systems, surface-to-air missiles and "advanced multiple rocket launcher systems."
Both Stoltenberg and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini urged Russia to stop providing the rebels with military and financial support. Mogherini called on Russia to use its influence to halt the offensive.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement Saturday, saying if Russia does not end its support for separatists and "withdraw all weapons, fighters and financial backing," U.S. and international pressure "will only increase." Kerry called the Mariupol assault "horrific" and said he joined his European counterparts in condemning it in the strongest terms.
Separatists currently control key territory in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions near the Russian border, after launching a rebellion nine months ago against Ukraine rule.
Zakharchenko was quoted in Russian media as saying he saw "no point" in further four-party peace talks. He told Russia's Interfax news agency that the Minsk peace talks format agreed on last year was "a mistake" that "we will not make again."
Separately, Interfax quoted rebel military official Eduard Basurin as saying more than 750 Ukrainian troops had been killed in recent days in the battle for the now-destroyed Donetsk airport.
He said more than 100 Ukraine tanks and other fighting vehicles had also been destroyed. The rebel claims have not been independently confirmed. U.N. officials, relying on reports from the conflict zone, said they had tallied 262 deaths over nine days.
Deadly Shelling Hits Ukraine City as Rebel Offensive Begins
750 servicemen killed and more than 100 tanks and fighting vehicles destroyed for a few days? Do they fight using fake guns and superheroes equipment bought on ebay? It is not surprising that the President of Ukraine has been flirting with the US and NATO since winter 2014.