UK Military Presence Expansion In Ukraine To Exacerbate Conflict - Russian Embassy

LONDON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st November, 2018) The UK government's intention to expand military presence in Ukraine is inconsistent with attempts to settle the Ukrainian crisis in accordance with the Minsk agreements, the press officer of the Russian Embassy to the United Kingdom said Wednesday.

UK Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson and Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak agreed on Wednesday to increase UK military presence in Ukraine.

"This decision is inconsistent with the imperative of settlement of the Ukrainian conflict by political and diplomatic efforts on the basis of the Minsk agreements, to which London is committed on paper ... Military action results in numerous casualties and further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in those areas. It is clear that the expansion of UK military presence, even if symbolic, can only exacerbate the situation and does not contribute to a peaceful settlement," the press officer said.

The press officer also noted that, according to official information, the UK forces trained Ukrainian militants involved in military operations in the East of the country.

The conflict in Donbas started in 2014, when Ukrainian authorities launched a military operation against the self-proclaimed republics that refused to recognize the new government in Kiev, which came to power after what they considered to be a coup.

In February 2015, the warring parties signed the Minsk peace accords to end the hostilities in the region, but the situation has remained tense, with both parties accusing each other of ceasefire violations.