Poroshenko in anticipation of escalation strengthened the grouping in the Donbass APU

President Petro Poroshenko said about the increased danger of conflict escalation in the East of Ukraine, in connection with which steps are taken to strengthen the Ukrainian group in the Donbass. He said this during a meeting with representatives of the initiative group” First of December “and other representatives of the Ukrainian intelligentsia, the press service of the head of state.

“If it is associated with a sharp and provocative Russia’s withdrawal from JCCC, with great difficulties we faced in the liberation of the Ukrainian hostages without trial, illegally located in the occupied territory, it can be noted that the risk of escalation of the conflict, unfortunately, is growing,” – said Poroshenko.

The President noted that there is a complicated situation on the front line. Last night, for the first time in many days, was struck Ukrainian positions from systems of volley fire “Grad”.

At the same time, Poroshenko is confident in the strength of the Ukrainian army. He said that he had taken decisive steps to strengthen the Ukrainian grouping in the Donbass. “We are ready to meet any scenario,” – said the President.

Poroshenko also called for the strengthening of the composition of the SCCC by the representatives of Germany and France. “Regarding the possibility of recovery of the work of the SCCC, I think that will be absolutely useful if we have part of our JCCC partners in the Normandy format – the Germans and the French,” – said Poroshenko. In his opinion, it will strengthen transparency, the effectiveness of the SCCC, as well as increase the level of credibility.

18 Dec 2017 Russia saidthat withdraws its military from JCCC in the Donbass. The occupant country has also accused Ukraine of “creating serious difficulties in the work of the centre”. The next day the Ukrainian and Russian JCCC officers leftthe temporarily occupied areas of Donbass.

The negotiator from Ukraine in the Minsk process Yevhen Marchuk saidthat the withdrawal of the Russians from SCCC makes the goal of achieving agreement about the Christmas truce in the Donbass “almost unattainable”.

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