Zelensky, Karis call on Russia to withdraw troops from Ukrainian territory – statement

In the joint statement, the two leaders called on the Russian Federation to stop destabilizing the security situation, withdraw its armed forces from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and from the Ukrainian border.

“The parties call on the Russian Federation to choose the path of diplomacy, to take urgent steps to de-escalate and stop the destabilization of the security situation in and around Ukraine, in particular to withdraw its armed forces from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and from the immediate vicinity of the Ukrainian border,” the document says.

The presidents strongly condemn the ongoing armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, launched in 2014, as well as the aggressive rhetoric, ultimatums and threats of force by the Russian Federation.

The parties also firmly reject the provocations and attempts of the Russian Federation to aggravate the already tense security situation.

“The parties state that Russia's recognition of the so-called ‘Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics’ affirms a conscious unilateral withdrawal from the Minsk agreements and is a clear violation of international law, the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the most serious blow to the political-diplomatic settlement, which Ukraine and its partners are actively working to promote,” the document says.

It is stressed that the Republic of Estonia reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

As reported, President of Estonia Alar Karis is on an official visit to Ukraine on Tuesday, February 22.

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