Zelensky Says Ukraine to Consider Severing Diplomatic Relations With Russia

Russia said the move would be 'extremely unwelcome'

On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is considering severing diplomatic relations with Russia after Moscow recognized the breakaway republics in the Donbas.

Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv, Zelensky said Ukraine’s foreign ministry made the request to break off relations. “I’ve received a request from the foreign ministry. I will consider the issue of severing diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation,” he said.

Russia responded and said the move would be “unwelcome” and only make the situation more difficult. “Naturally, the severance of diplomatic relations would be an extremely unwelcome scenario, which will only make everything still more difficult not only for the states but also for their peoples,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Later in the day, Zelensky ordered Ukraine’s military reserve forces to be called up but said a general mobilization was not needed at this time. The Ukrainian leader also called for talks with Russia to resolve the current crisis.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that his recognition of the Donbas meant the Minsk agreements no longer exist. The Minsk agreements were meant to bring an end to the war in the Donbas but were never fully implemented by Ukraine.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.