Ukraine does not prioritize a military operation at the temporarily occupied part of Donbas.
Mikhail Podolyak, advisor to the head of the President's Office, commented to LIGA.net in response to a press conference by Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 23. The President of the Russian Federation said that he got an impression that a third military operation is being prepared in Donbas, and they are trying to restrain Russia from interference by the threat of sanctions.
Mikhail Podolyak noted that Ukraine's priorities for the temporarily occupied part of Donbass "are quite simple and understandable to anyone from Chop to Vladivostok." Among these priorities, he named a real ceasefire, the release of hostages, guaranteeing the constant operation of checkpoints on the demarcation line.
"Such priorities are obviously not similar to the preparation of any military operation. But if there are no similar priorities on the Russian side, then appropriate conclusions will have to be drawn about the intentions of the Russian side," Podolyak summed up.
At the same press conference, Putin was unable to clearly guarantee a non-aggression against Ukraine.
Podolyak replied that over 7 years of war and a difficult history, Ukrainians "have become accustomed to various rhetorical devices and verbal tensions from the representatives of Russia." Also, Ukrainians are used to the fact that the aggressiveness of Russian policy does not depend on the actions or intentions of Ukraine. "Moreover, Ukraine has never had any aggressive intentions towards Russia. Ukraine will continue to do everything that is necessary to ensure the protection of its sovereignty, freedom and independence, it is quite natural," said the adviser to the head of the OP.
