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Ukraine’s government divides country by declaring martial law, Putin says

Russian President Vladimir Putin said martial law was declared in 10 Ukrainian regions where the current authorities do not have much support

© EPA-EFE/MYKOLA LAZARENKO/POOL

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BUENOS AIRES, December 1. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that by declaring martial law in the country’s ten regions, the Ukrainian government has divided the country into two parts.

"They declared martial law in ten regions, those where the current president does not have a lot of support," the Russian leader told reporters. "This means that Ukraine’s current government has divided the country into two parts - one that can be trusted and one that cannot."

The Russian leader noted that Ukraine had not declared martial law before, when the events in the country were much more dire, and added that Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko’s decision is related to the upcoming elections in the country.

Putin noted that Kiev is not interested in resolving the conflict in Donbass, especially by peaceful means. "The analysis of recent events related to this incident or the Black Sea provocation, and what we see in Donbass, shows that the current government of Ukraine is not interested in the regulation of the situation as a whole, especially by peaceful means," Putin told reporters. "This is a party of war, and while they remain in power, all tragedies of this sort and war will continue."

Putin reminded of the tragic events that took place at Odessa’s Trade Unions House, which are not currently under investigation. "There is no investigation - just silence," the Russian leader stated.

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Ukraine bans entry for Russian men aged 16-60

He said that Russia will simplify the process of obtaining citizenship for Ukrainians and will not impose any entry restrictions. "No, we will not impose any restrictions on Ukrainian citizens. Moreover, we will on the contrary take the path of liberalization and simplify the process for Ukrainian citizens and stay on our territory and obtain Russian citizenship, if some of them want to do this," Putin told a press conference.

On November 30 Kiev banned Russian men aged from 16 to 60 from entering Ukraine.

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Ukraine crisis Ukraine Vladimir Putin Eastern Ukraine

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