Kuleba: Putin's demands harmful to international peace, security

10.01.2022 10:10

Ukrinform

The demands Russian President Vladimir Putin put forward to the United States, NATO, and the European Union to recognize Russia's neighbors as the Kremlin’s sphere of influence are illegitimate.

That’s according to Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who addressed the issue via Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

"Let’s call a spade a spade. Putin demands the U.S., NATO & the EU to accept Russia’s sphere of influence over sovereign neighboring states. But the Cold War is over, and so are spheres of influence,” wrote the foreign minister.

Also, Kuleba underscored the point that Putin's demands are “illegitimate and harmful to international peace and security.”

As Ukrinform reported earlier, EU High Representative Josep Borrell said the European Union saw the main goal of diplomatic efforts in reducing tensions around Ukraine and ensuring that Russia de-escalates. At the same time, he said that, while dialogue with Russia is a must, so is deterrence and resolve through firm support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Any further aggression against Ukraine will have massive consequences and severe costs for Russia, Borrell wrote in an oped.