Poroshenko: UN Peacekeeping Operation is the Best Solution for Settlement of Situation in Donbas

A UN-mandated multinational peacekeeping operation with the only clear goal to restore Ukraine’s sovereignty could be a decisive factor in ending sufferings of Ukrainian people from the aggression unleashed by the Russian Federation Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko stated this at the High-level Meeting on Action for Peacekeeping held on Tuesday, September 25, within the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly. "The temporary occupation of parts of Ukraine’s territory continues to cause suffering to Ukrainian people and undermine regional and international peace and security” noted the president. In this regard, he recalled that the number of conflict-related casualties in Ukraine reached over 35,000, including more than 10,000 people killed and almost 25,000 injured. The number of internally displaced persons exceeded 1.5 million. “I am sure that a UN-mandated multinational peacekeeping operation with the only clear goal to restore Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity could be a decisive factor in ending sufferings of Ukrainian people” noted Poroshenko. According to the president, it would greatly assist in making Russia fulfil the Minsk agreements in good faith. "I am grateful to Germany, France, and the U.S. for mobilizing international support of this initiative," Poroshenko said. He also stressed that Moscow is also afraid of losing control over Ukraine border with Russia – a hostage taken by Kremlin to keep infiltrating its military in Donbas”. “Is it not for the UN to stand up to the challenge with courage?” the president noted. He recalled that Ukraine’s request to deploy the UN PKO in the occupied Donbas had not been addressed yet. “We see it as a test for the ability of our Organization to act in a challenging conflict situation. A test that still remains to be passed”, Poroshenko summed up. Source: UKRINFORM