Poroshenko calls on UN not to call Russian aggression against Ukraine a 'conflict'

He stated this while the UN General Assembly as part of a special debate on the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Let's set the record straight once and for all. There is no so-called 'crisis in Ukraine,' no 'internal conflict in Ukraine,' but ongoing military occupation and armed aggression by Russia against Ukraine," he said from the rostrum of the UN General Assembly.

Poroshenko recalled that a report of the leading prosecutor of the International Criminal Court recognized the conflict in Crimea and Donbas as an armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and Russia's attempted annexation of Crimea as an ongoing state of occupation.

"It's truly mind-boggling that even after all these decisions the Russian Federation is still trying to present itself as a peaceful state that fully implements its obligations under the United Nations Charter," Poroshenko said.

He also noted that Russia's military and occupation administrations are carrying out the temporary occupation of Ukraine's territories.

"There are no so-called 'de facto authorities,' but Russian occupation administrations in the temporarily occupied territories of Donbas and Crimea, as well as Russian state bodies and agencies, which are in charge of administering these occupied territories. There are no 'rebels' but Russian regular armed forces under the Defense Ministry and formations of special and secret services. There are no 'insurgents' but Russian advisers, instructors, irregular illegal armed groups created, equipped, funded and controlled by Russia," Poroshenko said.