President Zelenskiy: We Don't Understand Who They Are

JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy stressed on Tuesday that Kyiv will not consider requests by the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR), to withdraw Ukrainian troops from the Donbass District it controls.

"We don't communicate with them. We don't understand who they are," Zelenskiy said at a joint press conference with Estonian President Alar Karis, responding to a question about whether Kiev would consider the request.

LPR People's Council MP Dmitry Khoroshilov stated earlier on Tuesday that steps could be taken to restore the integrity of the entire territory of the republic, if Kyiv did not withdraw its troops outside the Lugansk Region.

He pointed out, under republican law, the territory of the LPR includes the entire former Lugansk Territory. The lawmaker said it was necessary to ask Ukraine to withdraw its troops voluntarily.

"Because if not, steps will be taken to create peace and territorial integrity throughout the LPR area."

Previously, Kyiv officials have repeatedly stated that they refuse to enter into direct negotiations with the Donetsk People's Republic and Lugansk, considering them unreasonable.

President Zelenskiy, in particular, has claimed republican leaders have decided nothing and, therefore, there is no point in "wasting time" negotiating with them.

For your information, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the recognition of the sovereignty of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics on January 21. Russia signed treaties on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance with their leaders.

In addition, President Putin instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish diplomatic relations with the DPR and LPR, as well as the Ministry of Defense to ensure peace in their territories.