Putin announces start of ‘military operation’ in Ukraine / Article

“I have decided on a military operation,” Putin said shortly before 6 am (5 pm Latvian time).

He said the operation was aimed at protecting civilians and was a response to a threat from Ukraine.

Putin added that Russia had no intention of occupying Ukraine and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with Russia would have serious consequences.

“Now some very important words for those who might be tempted to interfere in events on the sidelines: anyone who tries to disturb us or, even more so, threatens our country and people, must know that Russia’s response will be immediate and will lead to such consequences. “We have not yet encountered any developments in our history. We have prepared all the necessary decisions. I hope you will hear me,” Putin said.

He accused the United States and its allies of ignoring Russia’s demand to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and to offer Moscow security guarantees.

Putin said the aim of Russia’s military operation was to ensure the “demilitarization” of Ukraine and that all Ukrainian soldiers who lay down their arms would be able to leave the battlefield safely.

“I urge you to lay down your arms immediately and go home. All Ukrainian army soldiers who meet this requirement will be able to leave the combat zone and return to their families without hindrance,” Putin said.

“All responsibility for the possible bloodshed will lie entirely with the conscience of the ruling regime in Ukraine,” Putin said.

“I am confident that the trusted officers and soldiers of the Russian armed forces will perform their duties professionally and masculine,” Putin said.

In his address to the Ukrainian people tonight, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said he had tried to call Russian President Vladimir Putin, but to no avail.

He also said that there were about 200,000 Russian soldiers on the Ukrainian border and that war could break out soon. Zelensky addressed the Russian people in Russian, stressing that they were being lied to and that the start of the war depended on Russia.

Biden: The world will hold Russia accountable

U.S. President Joe Biden said shortly after Putin’s statement that “the world will hold Russia accountable,” AFP reported.

Biden announced he would meet with leaders of the seven most industrialized or G7 countries on Thursday and then announce the consequences.

“President Putin has decided on a pre-planned war that will cause catastrophic damage and human suffering. (..) Sole responsible for the plague and casualties. “What will bring this attack is Russia, and the United States, together with its allies and partners, will respond with unity and determination,” said Biden.

CONTEXT:

Russian President Putin announced on Monday that he had decided to sign a decree on the “People’s Republic” of Donetsk and Luhansk recognition of independence from Ukraine.

Putin also threatened Ukraine by demanding that Ukraine immediately cease hostilities against the separatists, “otherwise all responsibility for the possible continued bloodshed will rest entirely with the conscience of the Ukrainian regime.”

However, Ukraine and the West emphasize that it is Russia, led by Putin, that is carrying out the aggression against Ukraine, pulling up to 150,000 troops off the Ukrainian border and threatening a new invasion of Ukrainian territory.

Putin’s decision to recognize the independence of the “People’s Republics” declared by the separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk has led to an almost unanimous condemnation of the international community. The European Union, ASV and other countries have already announced new sanctions against Russia.

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