KYIV. Nov 2 (Interfax) - Ukraine is prepared for an escalation and more fighting in Donbas, Ukrainian Joint Forces Commander Lieut. Gen. Oleksandr Pavliuk said.
"We are ready for escalation, ready for a new round of hostilities. In addition to the stabilization operation, we have a defensive operation ready, and if possible, we will conduct a counter-offensive operation," Pavliuk said in an interview published on the YouTube channel of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center on Tuesday.
The troops are ready, he said.
"I do not consider the ORDLO [the self-proclaimed Donbas republics] representatives an independent unit with its own opinion. These are ordinary puppets. [...] The only goal is to diminish Ukraine's potential, to force Ukraine to come to the negotiating table on Russia's terms," Pavliuk said.