Russia v Ukraine: Putin’s ‘peacekeepers’ are a ‘declaration of war’

Fulbright scholar Misha Zelinsky says Vladimir Putin’s “peacekeeping” operation is a “declaration of war,” and what is taking place in eastern Ukraine is a “full-on invasion”.

This comes as members of the United Nations Security Council have condemned Russia after President Putin declared two areas in eastern Ukraine '"independent".

Mr Putin says he is sending "peacekeeping" forces to support separatists, but the United States says this is nonsense.

"The Russians are under threat in ... the eastern provinces of Ukraine and in those supposed independent regions of Donetsk and Luhansk - so he sent in this supposed peacekeeping force, but it's a declaration of war," Mr Zelinsky told Sky News Australia.

"So, we've got a full-on invasion of eastern Ukraine."

[shellyaus]

when did Aussies have a referendum to approve the UN?

[morozko]

Misha, can you report on what else Mr Putin has said? About Nato? About the agreement that Nato is ignoring for a few decades now? Oh yeah, it's not relevant I guess in your eyes.

[tallguy]

US - I think you would be better to send peacekeepers to Canada than stoke up war for ratings with Russia

[zackmyers]

People in Canada, Australia and usa aren’t even free how can we lecture russia, what about the truckers being trampled by govts horses and a govt tyrant

[LordAgares]

What everyone is forgetting, is that Ukraine has had 8 years, under the Minsk Accords, to negotiate a settlement in the Donbas. For 8 years Ukraine has done nothing and has refused to act accordingly. Also remember it was Ukraine forces that attacked their own people and have been Shelling Civilians in the Donbas for 8 years.

[pumaweek]

I suppose that Kissinger’s words echo loudly through the corridors of the Rada in Kiev right now.
“To be an enemy of America can be dangerous, but to be a friend is fatal.”
Time for tie munching in Kiev....

[petars.]

NATO did the same thing in Serbian Southern province Kosovo and Metohia in 1999.
In 2008 Western country's recognised independence of Kosovo. So NATO started with that practice and any country that recognised indipendence of Kosovo including Australia (despite UN resolution 1244 ) HAVE NO MORAL RIGHTS to criticised Russia !!

[lukei]

I remember Australian 'peacekeepers' in East Timor. Australian media is so hypocritical!

[rorynicholson]

Anyone remember NATO and the USA stripping Serbia of Kosovo which was a sovereign part of Serbia? We can't blame Russia for invoking the USA & NATO's own Kosovo precedent.

[lastChang]

The US 🇺🇸 and the West should send peace keeapers to Hong Kong 🇭🇰, Tibet, East Turkistan, South Mongolia, Hainan, Macau, Yunnan as independent.
- Taiwan 🇹🇼 already has peace independent country. There is no need as such.

[deepposeidon]

OMG stop acting like school kids pushing each other like "You gonna do somethin you gonna do somethin" And just swing already. This has been going on for nearly 2 weeks now if you gonna fight just fight or shut ya mouths and walk away.

[chuckh]

Putin is obviously a lot better than what we have on offer. Very smart move.

[bryanmower]

I guess Vlad watched sleepy Joe's pell-mell rout from Afghanistan and figured he's got nothing to worry about

LGB !

[jaimzx]

didn't nato recognize kosovo as an independent state..??you cannot lead people who don't want to be part of your country that's why i support the move, let Lugansk and Donetsk be where they want to and let the war end just the same way nato did to Yugoslavia to solve the conflict back then

[NinjaKuma]

So its okay when the US does it?

Pick a set of rules and play by them. Can't have it both ways.

[stevie]

These folks don't realize that not every society in the world wants their "democratic" political system. They are going to have to learn and get used to it.

[azure]

No, a Declaration of War is a "declaration of war".

[rickmitchell]

The Brits should send peacekeepers to Hong Kong!

[jannikmatthias]

Maybe Russia could send some peacekeepers to Canada too?

[yianni]

Ha, Ausies calling Putin an autocrat?