Russia’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Andrei Kelin, told Reuters in an interview that the withdrawal of Russian troops from southern Ukraine would be fraught with new violence in the region.
“It is difficult to predict the withdrawal of our troops from southern Ukraine, because we have learned from experience that after the withdrawal, provocations start, people are shot and so on,” the diplomat said.
Russia intends to liberate the entire Donbass, Kelin added. Regardless of its desire, sooner or later Kiev will either have to come to an agreement with Russia or “continue sliding down the hill” towards ruin, he believes.
Separately, the Russian ambassador spoke out about Western arms deliveries to Ukraine. If Western equipment is used to threaten Russia’s strategic position, “we will be forced to take serious measures against it,” he said.
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