In the US, called the true purpose of the Russian military in Ukraine

The US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, accused Russia of sending its soldiers to Ukraine and confirmed the US intention to maintain sanctions against Moscow until it returns the annexed Crimea and withdraws troops from eastern Ukraine, writes “Voice of America".

“We condemn in the strongest terms the Russian intervention in the east of Ukraine and the attempt to annex the Crimea,” said Haley, speaking at a meeting of the UN Security Council on Ukraine.

"As is the case tragedy flight MH-17“, we ask Russia to recognize a different reality, the truth of which everyone gathered here knows: Russian soldiers are in Ukraine - not to “protect” Russian-speaking citizens of Ukraine, but to establish Russian control over the country,” the diplomat added.

“As long as Russia does not stop its outrageous actions in Ukraine, the position of the United States will not change,” she stressed. “As long as Russia does not return the Crimean Peninsula to Ukraine’s control, American sanctions associated with the invasion of Crimea will remain in force.” Until Russia withdraws its forces from Eastern Ukraine and fails to fulfill its obligations under the Minsk Agreements, our sanctions in response to its blatant violations in the eastern part of this country will remain in force. ”

Haley called the conflict in eastern Ukraine "a textbook example of a direct violation of the sovereignty of one UN member state by another."

During the meeting, the diplomats were informed about recent instabilities in the region.

Haley also accused Russia of creating a “catastrophe of suffering” by supporting separatist groups and violating its obligations under an international ceasefire agreement.

“Despite her denial, there is no doubt that Russia is the driving force behind the Ukrainian conflict,” said Haley.

She also expressed support for Australia and the Netherlands after these countries asked Russia to admit their involvement in the crash of a Malaysian airline (flight MH-17), which was shot down over eastern Ukraine in 2014.

Bellingcat has denied all Russian versions of the crash of Boeing in the Donbass. Photo: RBC

An investigation team last week stated that the rocket that shot down a passenger aircraft was fired from the launcher, owned by Russian 53-th anti-aircraft missile brigade.

“Journalists have identified numerous instances of the use of Russian military equipment by the forces led by Russia in the east of Ukraine,” said Haley. “Unfortunately, they include the delivery by Russia of a missile system that shot down an airline's 17 flight.” Malaysia Airlines in July, the 2014 of the year - a civilian plane flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, causing all of the 298 people on board to die. ”

“We strongly support the call of Australia and the Netherlands for Russia to recognize its role in this tragedy and to cooperate in bringing to justice those responsible for the crash of the MH-17 flight,” the American diplomat continued.

Photo: BELLINGCAT

For his part, Russia's ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, called Russia's accusations of aggression propaganda.

“We are not at war with anyone,” he said.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Rosemary Dicarlo told the UN Security Council that in the east of Ukraine cease-fire agreements are not being observed and weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements are being used.

According to the official UN website, as a result of the conflict, 2,7 thousands of civilians were killed, about 9 thousand were injured, about 1,6 million became displaced.

UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Ursula Muller said that this year 2,3 will be assisted by a million people living in eastern Ukraine, but the scale of funding for UN programs is insufficient for the tasks that need to be addressed.

Dicarlo said that the Minsk agreements remain the basis for resolving the crisis, but they are not implemented. She stressed that the UN is committed to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, subject to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine.