BRUSSELS, MAY 26 - "The European Union condemns Russia's attempts to replace legitimate and democratically elected Ukrainian administrations with illegal puppet structures within the areas currently under its military control and to legitimize them through possible illegitimate 'referenda'".
Thus the EU representative to the Permanent Council of Osce Rasa Ostrauskaite, during the meeting of the Permanent Council in Vienna.
"Other attempts to 'Russify' Ukrainian territories under Russian military control include the introduction of Russian standards in the political, social, economic and monetary spheres. At the same time, the humanitarian situation in these areas is deteriorating, due to scarcity. of basic necessities, including food and medicine, and of services ", explained the representative of the EU.
"We condemn these illegal attempts to integrate Ukrainian territories into Russia and call on Russia to respect human rights and safeguard the fundamental freedoms of the Ukrainian people," concluded Ostrauskaite.
"As long as the Kremlin retains control of parts of Ukraine, it will use these territories as a stepping stone to launch attacks and conquer more ground, leaving a growing trail of destruction and atrocity."
Thus the US ambassador to the OSCE Michael Carpenter during today's meeting of the organization's Permanent Council in Vienna.
"Russia's takeover of more pieces of Ukrainian territory only whets the Kremlin's appetite for more territories and thus results in more cruelty, more atrocity and more destruction," Carpenter explained.
"We again urge all participating States in this Council to provide Ukraine with the support it needs at this time to defend itself from Putin's revanchist disappointments," concluded the ambassador.
