President of Russia Vladimir Putin has announced in his address to the Russians that he has decided on a special military operation in Donbas. RIA Novosti reports.
According to him, the circumstances require Russia to act decisively and immediately. «The heads of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics have asked Russia for help. In this regard, in accordance with Article 51 part 7 of the UN Charter, with the sanction of the Federation Council and in accordance with the treaties on friendship and mutual assistance ratified by the Federal Assembly with the DPR and LPR, I have decided to conduct a special military operation,» Vladimir Putin said in a televised address.
He said that Russia’s plans did not include occupation of Ukraine, but Moscow would seek to demilitarize it.
«Its goal (Russia’s special operation) is to protect people who have been subjected to abuse, genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years, and for this we will seek to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine and bring to justice those who have committed numerous bloody crimes against civilians, including Russian citizens,» Vladimir Putin said.
Russia cannot feel safe, develop, exist with a constant threat coming from Ukraine, the head of state said, noting that the development of Ukraine by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was unacceptable.
The president stressed that Russia respected and would respect the sovereignty of the CIS countries.
NATO, Putin stressed, was approaching Russia’s borders closely. Moscow, he said, has been trying for 30 years to agree on not expanding the bloc eastwards and has faced deception, pressure and blackmailing attempts.
«Russia is ready for any development, all decisions have been made. I hope I will be heard,» he said.
An extraordinary meeting of Russia’s Security Council was held in Moscow on February 21 to discuss the issue of recognizing the independence of the DPR and LPR. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the decree.
Earlier, the US leader Joe Biden signed a decree banning trade and investment with the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. The document was published on the White House website.
On February 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered an address and said that Kiev was seeking peace and would continue diplomatic work in this direction following Russia’s decision to recognize the Donbas republics.
The Kyrgyz president believes that this may have been a forced measure. Sadyr Japarov spoke out about the conflict in Ukraine on social media.
