KIEV (AA) – Kiev is to sue Russia through the United Nations’ International Court of Justice for supporting “terrorism” in eastern Ukraine, Ukrainian Justice Minister Pavlo Petrenko has said.
His comments on Saturday came after months of clashes between pro-Russian separatists and the Ukrainian army have left more than 500 people dead.
Petrenko said on a Ukrainian TV channel: “We have clear evidence of Russia providing terrorists with weapons, equipment, money and deploying mercenaries.”
“Ukraine has started the process of filing a lawsuit to the International Court of Justice against Russia for violating the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism.”
Ukraine has begun the pre-trial procedure, which will take seven months, the minister said.
Kiev and western powers blame Russia for inciting the unrest in eastern Ukraine, a region with a Russian majority, with the aim of dividing the country.
The conflict has ravaged the region since April, when pro-Russian groups declared independence in the region through a referendum during the violent clashes.
The tension peaked when Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 was downed in Ukraine on 17 July, leaving 298 people dead.
Western powers have imposed sanctions against Russia over the crash, which Moscow has countered with its own penalties against western states.
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