Ukraine's Petro Poroshenko calls Putin 'double-tongued'

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin's call for the creation of an international antiterrorism coalition was hypocritical, and his words are "double-tongued."

"Over the last few days we have heard conciliatory statements from the Russian side," he said during the United Nations General Assembly. "Cool story, but really hard to believe. How can you urge an antiterrorist coalition if you inspire terrorism right in front of your door? How can you talk about peace and legitimacy if your policy is war via puppet governments? The Gospel of John teaches us, 'In the beginning was the word.' But what kind of a gospel do you bring to the world if all your words are double-tongued like that?"

Russia has been increasing its support for the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and wants the proposed coalition to fight Islamic State and other extremist groups, Reuters reports. "These days the Russian 'men in green' tread on Syrian land," Poroshenko said. "What or who is next?"

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Poroshenko also said Russia is continuing to train and give money to pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine, and sending over Russian troops who are taking their insignias off their uniforms. "For over 20 months, Russia's aggression against my country has been continuing through financing of terrorists and mercenaries, and supplies of arms and military equipment to the illegal armed groups," he said. Russia denies those allegations, and during Poroshenko's speech, all but one member of the Russian delegation left the assembly hall.