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Poroshenko retracts statement on intention to recapture Donetsk airport

On May 11, Ukraine’s presidential press service published Poroshenko’s statement sayin Kiev intends to recapture the Donetsk airport from east Ukraine militia forces
Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko EPA/TASS/SERGEY DOLZHENKO
Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko
© EPA/TASS/SERGEY DOLZHENKO

KIEV, May 14. /TASS/. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has retracted his statement Thursday about the necessity of "freeing" the Donetsk airport.

In an interview with German ZDF TV channel, Poroshenko said: "I advise you not to read Russian newspapers. They are the only source where you can find such nonsense."

On May 11, Ukraine’s presidential press service published Poroshenko’s statement at the premiere of Airport documentary. "I don’t doubt that we will free the airport because it is our land. And we will restore the airport," Poroshenko said.

Kiev forces controlled Donetsk airport terminals for several months, shelling the city’s suburbs from their positions. In January, DPR authorities said that the self-defense forces regained full control over the airport. Ukrainian forces made several attempts to recapture their positions. DPR defense ministry said around 600 Ukrainian military were killed or injured during the armed stand-off around the airport.

Ceasefire is one of the key point of the Minsk agreements on the Ukrainian settlement. Other points include heavy weaponry withdrawal, prisoner exchange, local elections in Donbass and constitutional reform in Ukraine.