State Department blames Russia for fueling conflict in Donbas

U.S. State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said this at a briefing in Washington on Thursday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Russia continues to perpetuate a conflict that has now claimed more than 10,000 lives. Yesterday we received new reports that a 23-year-old Ukrainian medic was killed while he was trying to aid civilians near the line of contact," she said.

According to her, the incident is a reminder that the conflict in eastern Ukraine continues to rage on.

"Civilians and first responders face real dangers every day," Nauert said.

In this regard, she urged Russia "to order its proxy forces to implement a complete ceasefire, to withdraw its forces and heavy weapons from eastern Ukraine, and to agree to a robust UN peacekeeping mission."

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