The U.S. Department of State blames the Russian-backed separatists and Russia for intensifying attacks near Debaltseve, reports GHN based on Ukrinform.
This has been stated by spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State Jen Psaki at a daily press briefing.
"We strongly condemn the intensifying attacks over the last week by Russia-backed separatists on Debaltseve," Psaki notes, stressing that this territory lies approximately 13 kilometers beyond the Minsk ceasefire line.
According to her, there is no doubt that representatives of the so-called "DPR" violate the Minsk agreements. "The separatists have fired countless rockets at the city, killing and wounding scores of innocent people, and prompting the Ukrainian Government and local NGOs to organize a city-wide evacuation," Jen Psaki notes.
According to Psaki, "there can also be no mistake about Russia's role in the escalation of violence."
"We call on Russia and the separatists it supports to cease immediately offensive military operations in eastern Ukraine and implement fully their commitments under the September Minsk agreements. Otherwise, U.S. and international pressure on Russia and separatists will only increase," U.S. Department of State spokesperson says.