Moscow-Sana
Russia's permanent representative to the European Union, Vladimir Chizhov, confirmed that the Russian army will withdraw from Ukraine after completing the military operation it is currently carrying out.
And the website "Russia Today" quoted Chizhov as saying, commenting on the Russian operation, "We do not intend to stay forever in Ukraine ... the Russian army will complete the operation, and we hope that it will be soon, not far, and withdraw."
The Russian delegate denied that Moscow had any plans to annex Ukrainian lands to Russia, adding that, "Nevertheless, the territories of the Donetsk and Lugansk republics will be expanded until they reach the borders stipulated in their constitutions."
It is noteworthy that the Russian military operation in Ukraine was launched last Thursday to protect the republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, at their request.
In addition, the President of the Donetsk People's Republic, Denis Pushlin, announced that the number of Ukrainian soldiers who surrender voluntarily is increasing.
"They made the right decision to lay down their weapons and not shoot the residents of Donbass," Pushlin said, adding that "every one of the prisoners who signs not to take part in the hostilities will be able to return to their areas and their families."
Many Ukrainian soldiers laid down their weapons and representatives of the Donetsk forces provided them with first aid and allowed them to contact their families. The seriously wounded captured soldiers were taken to hospitals for treatment.
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