Ukrainian Parliament Calls War in Eastern Ukraine a 'Temporary Occupation' by Russia

The Ukrainian Parliament has officially labeled the war in the eastern part of the country as a 'temporary occupation' of these areas by Russia. This designation has provoked anger among Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine and Russia itself. In a bill passed on Thursday, January 18, Russia has been accused of 'aggression.' The new bill transfers control of the conflict areas in eastern Ukraine from intelligence forces to military forces for administration. It is expected that Petro Poroshenko, the President of Ukraine, will sign this bill, which he had previously registered and proposed in the Ukrainian Parliament. Following the bill's approval with a vote of 280 in favor and 36 against, Poroshenko stated on Twitter, 'We will continue to create conditions for the return of the occupied territories of Ukraine through diplomatic and political means.' There is substantial evidence, from military forces to weapons and ammunition, indicating that Russia is behind these conflicts, although Moscow has denied all accusations. The fighting in eastern Ukraine with Moscow-backed separatists has been ongoing for nearly four years, resulting in over 10,000 deaths. This conflict began after the Kremlin-backed government in Ukraine was overthrown following street protests in Kyiv. Since then, the intensity of the fighting in eastern Ukraine has decreased, limited to exchanges of fire or sniper shots. Kyiv and its Western allies accuse Russia of instigating these conflicts in retaliation for Ukraine's closer ties with the European Union and distancing from Moscow. In contrast, Russia and the eastern Ukrainian separatists have accused the U.S. of provoking conflict in these areas. This accusation arose after the United States recently signaled approval for the delivery of the first shipment of anti-tank missiles to Kyiv. These weapons are expected to reach Ukrainian forces in a few months. Meanwhile, Alexander Zakharchenko, a leader of the eastern Ukrainian rebels, and Valentina Matviyenko, the Chairwoman of the Federation Council of Russia, accused Kyiv on Thursday of violating the Minsk peace agreement regarding the establishment of a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, which was signed in 2015. Matviyenko commented on the passage of this bill in the Ukrainian Parliament, stating that it 'shows that Kyiv is seeking a military solution to reclaim the separated eastern regions.' The Minsk agreement was finalized with the cooperation of Germany and France. So far, Paris and Berlin have not reacted to the passage of this bill in the Ukrainian Parliament.