You're reading: Washington stands on legitimacy of Ukrainian government, rejects any parallel between Maidan and events in southeast of Ukraine

U.S. authorities have rejected claims of federalization supporters in the eastern part of Ukraine that their protests are linked to the fact that authorities in Kyiv came to power illegally, the spokesperson for the United States Department of State, Jen Psaki, said on April 18.

“We absolutely reject the comments by the Donetsk separatists that the evacuation of their forces is contingent upon Maidan activities ending their legal and peaceful protests,” she said at a briefing in Washington.

Psaki said that Washington does not believe that power reshuffled in Ukraine due to a coup.

“You know where we stand on the legitimacy of the Government of Ukraine. You know where we stand on these claims that there was a coup, which we completely disagree with,” she said.

“I think it’s clear to the international community, and the Secretary and the President have made clear, that we see a strong connection with Russia here… They have a responsibility to take steps to call on the separatists to evacuate,” she said.