Ukrainian parliament labels Russia as "aggressor state"

The Ukrainian parliament on Tuesday has passed a resolution, envisaging that Russia should be called an "aggressor state" over its alleged involvement in conflict in eastern Ukraine.

"We call on the international community to recognize the fact of aggression against Ukraine, the occupation of our territory and to strengthen the efforts to help Ukraine return to its internationally recognized borders," the resolution said.

The document, which was endorsed by 271 lawmakers in the 450-seat assembly, has also called on the international community to declare groups of pro-independence insurgents in eastern Ukraine as "terrorist organizations".

Besides, the resolution has asked Kiev's international partners to provide military assistance to Ukrainian army and humanitarian aid for civilian population affected by the bloody conflict in Donetsk and Lugansk regions.

Kiev's fresh accusations against Russia came as fierce fighting between Ukrainian government troops and insurgents resumed in eastern regions in recent weeks, following three months of relative calm.

Ukraine has long accused Russia of providing the insurgents in Lugansk and Donetsk with weapons and sending troops to combat areas of the nine-month-old violence.

Moscow has repeatedly dismissed Kiev's claims, saying that Ukraine has offered no evidence of Russia's alleged involvement in the conflict, which has killed over 5,000 people since April 2014. Endi