The Ukrainian government has appealed to Russia to block the financing of militants in eastern Ukraine by ex-president Viktor Yanukovych, but has not received an answer, Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Pavlo Klimkin said in an interview with the Austrian newspaper Die Presse, as reported by Interfax Ukraine, June 26.
” We have a lot of evidence that the former president is supporting the terrorists. We’re also pressuring the Russian side to block these sources of funding,” Klimkin said.
However, according to Klimkin, the aid, in fact, has been increasing over the past several days: recruiting centers are continuing to function in Rostov ( Russia), and militants are receiving heavy military equipment. “This is not what de-escalation looks like,” he said.
Klimkin also announced that he has informed the ministers of the European Union member states about the fact that in Rostov it is possible to simply phone a certain number to register as a volunteer to be sent to the east of Ukraine. “This must stop. Otherwise we have no chance for de-escalation,” he said.
Furthermore, Klimkin again called on Russia to stop the penetration of weapons and fighters into Ukraine. “I cannot say who is organizing this. A Kalashnikov automatic can be purchased on the black market, but not a tank or a missile air defense rocket,” he said.
Translation: Anna Mostovych
Source: Політика http://ua.interfax.com.ua/news/political/211118.html
