Ukraine seeks new sanctions imposed on Russia

The Ukrainian chief diplomat made comments at a joint press conference with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares in Kiev.

Over the past few years, Russia has flagrantly violated international law, including Minsk's agreements, and therefore must be punished with sanctions”, Mr. Kuleba said.

Mr. Kuleba accused Russia of granting passports to Ukrainians living in parts controlled by separatists east of Ukraine.

The massive passport equipment of Ukrainian citizens living in the Donetsk and Luhanski regions is a clear and flagrant violation of Minsk's agreements,” he said.

Russia and Ukraine have been involved in a fierce conflict since 2014, when Moscow annexed the Crimea and later supported a separatist uprising east of the country.

Wars between separatists backed by Russia and Ukrainian forces have caused more than 14,000 deaths.

Minsk's agreements were signed in 2015 by the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany in response to Russia's annexation of Crime. They ended fighting on a large scale, but did not bring about a political solution to the conflict.

The Kremlin has repeatedly accused Kiev of sabotaging the agreement, and Ukrainian officials in recent weeks said its implementation would harm Ukraine.

On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron, who was in Russia and Ukraine this week in an effort to find a solution to the crisis, said Moscow and Kiev are committed to implementing Minsk agreements. He added that and that this would be the only way to achieve progress towards resolving the crisis.

At Wednesday's press conference, Mr. Kuleba said the situation between Russia and Kiev continues to “tension”.

Without exaggeration, Russia wants to retaliate after losing in the Cold War. That's why we're dealing with the protection of Europe's security architecture. ”

However, he said efforts for a diplomatic solution to the crisis are continuing. / VOA