DPR leader forecasts resumption of hostilities in eastern Ukraine
DONETSK. Dec 25 (Interfax) - Self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) leader Alexander Zakharchenko does not believe in a lasting truce and accuses Kyiv of disrupting the peace process.
"The following facts show that the truce is being marred: airports have been closed in Ukraine. This is related to Western assistance in the arming. Main battles are still ahead and we keep our gunpowder dry," Zakharchenko said in his address to the regional population.
He added that the DPR would not abandon its aspirations for independence. "We have proven that our public deserves to have a statehood of its own," Zakharchenko said.
He condemned the attempts of Kyiv to resolve the conflict by force and said that the formation of militia units was a response to the Kyiv aggression.
"We wanted to demonstrate our ability to hold dialogue but instead they sent an army to fight us. The aggression was retaliated by the formation of people's militia. Steelworkers and miners took up arms," he said.
Zakharchenko told reporters later in the day, "I am not only allowing for the possibility of a Ukrainian army invasion but I am also anticipating that. We have reconnaissance data and we are perfectly aware that hardware pullback allegations are blatant lies. We are expecting an invasion."
He claimed that Kyiv had been mounting its military presence in the region. "Ukraine is preparing to escalate hostilities (...). The resumption of hostilities is simply a matter of time," Zakharchenko said.
