Russia says it does not plan to send forces to the two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine at this point in time – but adds that it will do so if a threat arises.
On Monday, President Vladimir Putin recognized Donetsk and Luhansk as independent and, at the same time, opened up to sending a Russian “peacekeeping force” to the two Ukrainian breakaway republics.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (AP) said at a press conference on Tuesday that the Russian forces arrived in eastern Ukraine on Monday and described it as a violation of international law and a very serious act.
Russia’s comments
On Tuesday afternoon, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko denied that Russian forces had been sent to Donetsk and Luhansk.
“If a threat arises, we will offer assistance in line with the agreement that has been ratified,” Rudenko said.
Shortly afterward, Støre’s office stated that what he meant to say was that Putin on Monday announced that Russia would send forces into eastern Ukraine, not that it had been done.
According to Rudenko, the agreement opens up for contributing “Russian military aid” to the two breakaway republics, but he also warned against speculating on whether this includes forces.
Source : © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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