MAE sends condolences to families of soldiers killed in Ukrainian plane takedown

Minister of Foreign Affairs Titus Corlatean expressed his profound regret at the loss of human life "following the takedown of military aircraft in eastern Ukraine by separatist forces", a release remitted on Saturday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) shows.

"Such acts cause consternation and are unacceptable in today's Europe, inside the European family. The Minister of Foreign Affairs sends his sincerest condolences to the families of soldiers killed following the takedown of a Ukrainian plane at Lugansk", MAE informs.

According to the release, the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterates the call for an immediate cessation of hostilities by the pro-Russian separatists in the eastern regions of Ukraine and for the maintaining and supporting of the territorial integrity of Ukraine in its internationally recognized borders.

"Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs fully supports the request made by the NATO Secretary General regarding an end to the Russian Federation's supplying of combat equipment to separatists", the quoted source shows.

At least 49 Ukrainian soldiers lost their life following the takedown of a Il-76 plane by separatists on Saturday morning in Lugansk.

The aircraft was transporting "soldiers, [and] equipment", the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence said, after presenting its condolences to the families of the soldiers killed in the takedown. Lugansk is the capital of one of the two regions in eastern Ukraine where a pro-Russian insurrection is taking place. \

AGERPRES