Malta calls for end to violent events in Ukraine

Malta has reiterated its call for a political solution to bring violent events in Ukraine to an end. Ukraine’s president today declared that a “Russian invasion” of his country was underway.

The United Nations' Security Council called an emergency session to discuss the latest crisis involving allegations of Russia's overt support for Ukrainian rebels.

“The Government of Malta is deeply concerned at the rapidly deteriorating developments in Ukraine, and specifically reports of Russian troops in the Eastern part of the country,” the government said in a statement.

If confirmed, unauthorised Russian military presence on Ukrainian soil would constitute a serious violation of the country's sovereignty and further threaten its territorial integrity.

“This latest development comes as yet another blow to international efforts aimed at de-escalating a crisis that has been ongoing for months,” Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella said.

Vella underlined the need for a political solution to bring violent events in Ukraine to an end. He appealed to both sides of the conflict to resort to dialogue and a negotiated solution. 

“Unilateral actions or provocations will only result in further violence in Ukraine itself and instability in the region more broadly,” the minister said.

US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said, "It’s clear that Russia has not only stepped up its presence in eastern Ukraine and intervened directly with combat forces, armored vehicles, artillery and surface-to-air systems."