Poroshenko pledges peaceful return of Donbas to Ukraine within year

Ukraine will return Donbas under its control in a peaceful way in one year, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has said in an interview with Turkey-based TRT World TV channel, the Presidential Administration wrote on Facebook.

"Ukraine will get Donbas back peacefully within a year," said Poroshenko.

The President also noted that Ukraine adheres to its obligations of the first stage of the Minsk agreements.

"Stage 1 of Minsk agreements is ceasefire. Ukraine adheres to its obligations. Ukraine has withdrawn heavy weapons, Russia has not," said Poroshenko.

"I hate being at war with Russia, but, as Commander-in-Chief, I must defend Ukraine," added the president. At the same time, he noted that Russia is using its propaganda against Turkey and international community.

Poroshenko stressed that "Ukraine seeks to join NATO," and sees this as an instrument guaranteeing eastern European security.

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