U.S. calls on Russia to end aggression against Ukraine

Russia must immediately end aggression against Ukraine and fulfill its commitments under the Minsk agreements, Acting Deputy Permanent Representative of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations Cherith Norman Chalet has said.
She said this at a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York on Tuesday, February 18, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Russia must end this conflict by withdrawing its forces from eastern Ukraine and Crimea. And we call on Russia to immediately implement its security commitments under the Minsk agreements, as the parties can only move forward with the Minsk political measures when there is security on the ground," Chalet said.

She also called on Russia to fulfill its promise made during the latest Normandy Four summit.

"We also call on Russia to follow-through with the measures outlined at the recent Normandy Leaders Summit in Paris to immediately stabilize the situation in the conflict area, which includes the opening of new civilian crossing points, disengaging military forces in areas with the greatest humanitarian significance, and implementing ceasefire support measures," the diplomat said.

Chalet stressed that Russia's ongoing aggressive actions "are an affront to international norms and a threat to our common security."

Russian-backed forces attacked Ukrainian positions near the villages of Novotoshkivske, Orikhove, Krymske, Khutir Vilnyi and Popasna early on February 18, killing one Ukrainian serviceman and wounding another five.