Why Did Russia Invade Ukraine?
Russia-Ukraine Crisis News: Putin also assured that Russia did not plan to occupy Ukraine. "Ukrainian people would be able "to choose freely" who runs the country and reiterated that his country's actions were in self-defence", he stated.
New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine and warned other countries that any foreign attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to ‘consequences they have never seen’. Soon after his announcement, power explosions were heard in Kyiv and also across Ukraine, including towns in the east, like Kramatorsk, close to areas controlled by pro-Russian separatists. For the unversed, the Russian President’s declaration came at the same time as the UN Security Council in an emergency meeting was imploring him to stop pushing more troops towards Ukraine.
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Here’s Why Did Russia Invade Ukraine?
President Putin said that the attack was needed to protect civilians in eastern Ukraine — a false claim the US had predicted he would make as a pretext for an invasion. He asserted that clashes between Ukrainian and Russian forces were “inevitable” and “only a question of time”.
The Russian leader also accused the US and its allies of ignoring Russia’s demand to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and offer Moscow security guarantees, and credulously claimed that Russia doesn’t intend to occupy Ukraine but will move to “demilitarize” it and bring those who committed crimes to justice.
Putin, however, assured that Russia did not plan to occupy Ukraine. “Ukrainian people would be able “to choose freely” who runs the country and reiterated that his country’s actions were in self-defense”, he stated.
He also urged the Ukrainian soldiers who are facing off Russian-backed rebels to lay down weapons and return to their homes. He also told them that their “fathers and grandfathers did not fight so they could help neo-Nazis”.
Meanwhile, the Russian president also issued a stark warning to other countries. “I have a few words for those who could feel tempted to interfere with ongoing developments. Whoever tries to impede us, let alone create threats for our country and its people, must know that the Russian response will be immediate and lead to the consequences you have never seen in history”, he said.
Biden Condemns Russia’s Unprovoked And Unjustified Attack on Ukraine
Condemning Putin’s latest move as “unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces”, US President Joe Biden said that the Russian leader has “chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering”.
In a statement released by the White House, Biden said: “Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the US and its allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. “The world will hold Russia accountable.”
Read President Biden’s Full statement:
“The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable. I will be monitoring the situation from the White House this evening and will continue to get regular updates from my national security team. Tomorrow, I will meet with my G7 counterparts in the morning and then speak to the American people to announce the further consequences the United States and our allies and partners will impose on Russia for this needless act of aggression against Ukraine and global peace and security. We will also coordinate with our NATO allies to ensure a strong, united response that deters any aggression against the alliance. Tonight, Jill and I are praying for the brave and proud people of Ukraine.”