Borrell on Ukraine: EU strongly condemns the reported shelling of a kindergarten and says there is no evidence of troop withdrawal

The European Union strongly condemns the reported shelling of a kindergarten in Stanytsia Luhanska, according to a statement by EU High Representative Josep Borrell published on 17 February.

“Such indiscriminate shelling of civilian infrastructures is totally unacceptable and represents a clear violation of the ceasefire and the Minsk agreements,” says Borrell. “The European Union calls for an immediate end to the ongoing escalation of violence and commends Ukraine for its continued restraint.”

Speaking after the Informal meeting of the Members of the European Council on Russia/Ukraine and the 6th European Union – African Union Summit, Borrell said the EU had received news about some withdrawal of troops, “but does not have evidence of it”.

But he added that the EU did have evidence of the increasing fighting and heavy shelling in some parts of the contact line.

“On the last hours, there has been heavy shelling, heavy bombing, fighting, and also we noticed a lots of disinformation from Russian sites in order to create an atmosphere of alleged attacks against Russian people in this part of Ukraine,” said Borrell. “If you add to that the fact that the Duma has voted to ask President Putin to recognise the independence of these two separatist Republics, the whole package increases our concerns. Certainly, we are very worried.”

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