Putin gave his TV speech early Thursday morning Finnish time. Yesterday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said of his attempt to start talks with Russia. According to the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Russia has started a full-scale war.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin announced early in the morning Finnish time that Russia would launch a military operation in Ukraine.
Putin spoke about it in a TV speech. According to Putin, Russia’s intention is not to occupy Ukraine, but to respond to “the threat posed by Ukraine.”
– The goal of the (military operation) is to protect the people who have been subjected to the torment and genocide of the Kiev regime for eight years, Putin says.
However, according to the Russian president, clashes between Ukrainian and Russian forces are “inevitable” and only a “matter of time,” the BBC says.
Putin is urging Ukrainian soldiers to lay down their arms
In his speech, Putin called on Ukrainian soldiers in eastern Ukraine to lay down their arms.
– I urge you to lower your gun immediately and go home. All conscripts in the Ukrainian army who act on this order can leave the free front zone and return to their families, Putin says according to Reuters.
On Monday, Russia decided to recognize the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics of eastern Ukraine.
According to the Russian president, “justice and truth” are on Russia’s side. Putin also warns that Russia’s involvement in the Ukrainian operation is expected to retaliate.
The international community has condemned Putin’s speech and Russia’s actions. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleban Russia has launched a full-scale war against Ukraine. According to Kuleba, Ukraine is defending itself.