Russia respects the Ukrainian people and does not intend to violate the interests of its citizens. The statement came from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov today, 1 March, addressing a session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in the format of a video message, TASS News Agency reports.
“As President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated, we have the utmost respect for the Ukrainian people, its language and traditions. We do not intend to violate the interests of the citizens of Ukraine, with whom we are united not only by common kinship, but simply by blood ties. Today millions of Ukrainians live in Russia. They belong to us. Together we have always been, and we will be many times stronger and more successful,” Lavrov said.
The special operation of the Russian Federation in Ukraine aims to save people, demilitarize and denationalize this country.
“As a result of the Western-backed coup, the ultra-nationalists and neo-Nazis who seized power in Kiev unleashed real terror. The situation in Ukraine was the result of the collective policy of the West. Russia hopes that the Ukrainian side will realize the need to negotiate independence in the delegations’ negotiations. Attempts to betray the interests of the people in Kiev and make Ukraine anti-Russian must be stopped,” Lavrov said.
It should be reminded that in the early morning of 24 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a message announcing the decision to launch a special military operation in Donbas.
“Circumstances require us to take decisive and immediate action. The Donbas People’s Republics have appealed to Russia. I have decided to launch a special military operation in this regard,” Putin said in a televised address to Russian citizens.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that from 05:00 (07:00 Yerevan time) on Thursday, the Russian Armed Forces carried out intensive attacks on Ukrainian military facilities and airports.
The Verkhovna Rada has declared martial law in Ukraine. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine announced the preliminary number of victims and wounded.
