Singapore ‘gravely concerned’ about heightened tensions at Ukraine-Russia border
SINGAPORE — Singapore said on Tuesday (22 February) that it is “gravely concerned” at the escalation of tensions at the Ukraine-Russia border and the Russian decision to recognise two breakaway Ukrainian regions.
“The sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine must be respected,” Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement.
“All parties concerned should continue to pursue dialogue, including diplomatic means, towards a peaceful settlement of the dispute, in accordance with international law, and avoid action that will further raise tensions in the region,” MFA added.
The statement comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into the two regions held by rebels in the eastern part of Ukraine, after he recognised them as independent states, media reports said. The troops would be involved in “peacekeeping” in the self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics, according to Russia.
The United Nations Security Council has held an emergency meeting, during which US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield dismissed Russia's claims about the troops’ "peacekeeping" role, the BBC reported.
Defending Russia’s decision, Russia's UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya referred to Ukrainian aggression and said, "Allowing a new bloodbath in the Donbas is something we do not intend to do,” according to the BBC report.
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