Tag: Putin

  • ‘No to War’: Thousands of Russian citizens protest against their government for the Ukraine invasion

    ‘No to War’: Thousands of Russian citizens protest against their government for the Ukraine invasion

    Protests are taking place across Russia in different cities against the invasion of Ukraine by the Russians on Thursday.

    Most of the people were seen chanting “No to War” and raising slogans against the invasion. Thousands of Russians gathered on Thursday night to show a strong reaction against their own government.

    The protestor is holding a placard that says, “No To War”. This man is standing at Pushkinskaya Square on Thursday night in Moscow

    While talking with Al-Jazeera, one of the young protestors said, “I have no words, it’s just disgusting,” she added, “What is there to say? We feel powerlessness, anguish.”

    Several journalists, reporters, media figures, and independent media outlets, including the BBC, have signed a petition against the Russian military operation.

    Government workers of the municipal department from different cities of Russia signed a letter to the citizens of Russia, urging the citizens not to participate in the operation or stay silent.

    “We, the deputies elected by the people, unreservedly condemn the attack of the Russian army on Ukraine,” read the letter.

    The letter further added that the military operation is an atrocity that cannot be justified at any cost.

    Protestors raised slogans against their President, Putin.

    “Putin is a killer! Putin is the shame of Russia!” they shouted. “Ukraine! Ukraine!”, reports Al-Jazeera.

    Some were chanting and clapping in support of Ukraine as well in the protest.

    “Ukraine is not our enemy!”

    Police have arrested thousands of protestors who were taking part in the demonstrations against the invasion.

    After months of tensions with Ukraine, and its western allies, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale military operation by sea, land, and air on Thursday.

  • Ukrainian President imposes martial law as Putin declares war

    Ukrainian President imposes martial law as Putin declares war

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has imposed martial law in the country in response to Russian invasion.

    President Zelensky said to his people “not to panic and be strong”.

    “Today each of you should keep calm. Stay at home if you can. We are working. The army is working. The whole sector of defense and security is working”, the Ukrainian president added.

    Andrew Simmons, Al Jazeera’s reporter, revealed, “The whole sky was awash with red and orange when these missiles struck – some of which were apparently cruise missiles. And the main international airport did come under attack – it is not clear what the damage is there, but all air space is closed.”

    As per Zelensky’s Twitter account, several nations are in contact with Ukraine. In a tweet, he noted that “the world is with us”.

    Prior to this, Donetsk and Luhansk — collectively known as Donbas — was recognised by Russia as separate nations. The region consists of separatists and is pro-Russia.

    Background:

    The history goes back to 1991 when the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) disintegrated, resulting in the independence of Ukraine. It was the Ukrainian revolution when things got out of hand, Russian-favoured former President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted by popular protests and his own parliament in February 2014. He fled to Russia, where he is living in exile. Later, a new government was formed, which had United States (US) favour.

    This all led to a conflict in eastern Ukraine that began in April 2014 with low-level fighting between the Ukrainian military and Russian-backed separatist rebels in Donbas who seized some towns in predominantly Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine. For the time being, a ceasefire was signed between the two parties.

    Last year, there were speculations that Ukraine is making progress toward gaining North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) membership. However, NATO has always denied this. Russia argued that western military presence represents an existential threat to Russia. 

    Since then, Russia has been sending its troops towards the Ukrainian border. The estimated number of Russian troops deployed in and around Ukraine has ranged from 100,000 to 190,000 in recent weeks.

    According to the New York Times, there are both geopolitical and historical reasons behind Moscow’s endless pressure on Kyiv, which was the birthplace of the first Russian state in the 9th Century. The Russian language is still widely spoken in the country despite Ukraine’s own language.

    It is pertinent to mention that Ukraine is the European Union’s (EU) fourth-biggest external food supplier. It provides the bloc with about a quarter of its cereal and vegetable oil imports, including almost half of its corn.

    According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global food prices reached a 10-year record in 2021 and the war would only make that a lot worse.  

  • ‘Every responsible country needs to voice concern on Putin’s actions’: US reacts to PM Khan’s visit to Russia

    ‘Every responsible country needs to voice concern on Putin’s actions’: US reacts to PM Khan’s visit to Russia

    United States (US) State Department Spokesperson Ned Price responded to a question related to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s Russia visit.

    “We believe it’s the responsibility of every responsible country around the world to voice concern and to voice objection to what Putin appears to have in mind for Ukraine,” said Price.

    Price’s comments in relevance to PM Khan’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

    PM Khan landed in Moscow for a two-day visit — from February 23-24 — to push for the construction of a long-delayed, multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline to be built in collaboration with Russian companies.

    World leaders have also voiced their concern about Russia’s action on Ukraine.

    President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelensky said, “Ukraine is launching its own defensive measures.” He urged Ukrainians to stay calm and stay home. He says he spoke to President Biden.

    “A minute ago I spoke to President Biden. The USA has started to unite international support,” said Zelensky.

    “Today we need each of you to stay calm. If you can, stay at home. We are working. The army is working. The whole security and defence sector of Ukraine is working,” said Zelensky.

    Prime Minister United Kingdom (UK) Boris Johnson tweeted, “President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine. The UK and our allies will respond decisively.”

    President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen tweeted, “In these dark hours, our thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men, and children as they face this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives.”

    Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) António Guterres said, “President Putin, in the name of humanity, bring your troops back to Russia. This conflict must stop now.”

  • Putin allows Russian forces to enter Ukraine rebel regions

    Putin allows Russian forces to enter Ukraine rebel regions

    Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops on Monday to “maintain peace” in two rebel regions of eastern Ukraine.

    The development came forward hours after Putin recognised pro-Moscow separatist regions Donetsk and Luhansk as independent entities in a televised national address, reports Reuters.

    “I consider it necessary to take a long-overdue decision to immediately recognise the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic. I ask the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation to support this decision, and then to ratify the treaties of friendship and mutual assistance with individual republics,” Putin announced despite West’s warnings.

    Putin termed United States-backed Ukraine as a failed state and “puppet” of the West, repeatedly kept suggesting that it is essentially part of Russia. He said, “Ukraine never had a tradition of genuine statehood.”

    He demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities in Kyiv and warned, saying, “Otherwise, all responsibility for the possible continuation of the bloodshed will be entirely on the conscience of the regime ruling on the territory of Ukraine.”

    Talking about North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) the Russian President stated, “US strategic planning documents contain the possibility of a so-called preemptive strike against enemy missile systems. And who is the main enemy for the US and NATO? We know that too. It’s Russia. In NATO documents, our country is officially and directly declared the main threat to North Atlantic security.”

    “We will never compromise our sovereignty, national interests, and our values,” he said while adding that the country has every right to take retaliatory measures to ensure its security. That is exactly what we will do.

    Responding to the news, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed his nation and said that the country had initiated an emergency meeting with the Normandy Four (Germany, Russia, Ukraine, and France), reports CNN.

    In a video address, Zelensky said the move was a violation of Ukraine’s “national integrity and sovereignty.”

    Ukraine is deeply divided, with a large Russian and Russian-speaking minority. Since fighting broke out in eastern Ukraine in 2014, separatist rebels of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics have been accused of being proxies for Russian interests.

    Several leaders of the state across the globe have condemned the act. The US is reportedly coordinating with allies and will announce new sanctions against its long rival Russia

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan is set to visit tomorrow (Wednesday). In August, Putin and PM Khan talked over the phone and exchanged views on the evolving situation in Afghanistan and bilateral relations.

  • United States and Russia ready to talk

    United States and Russia ready to talk

    Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed tensions with the west over growing concerns about troop buildup on its border near Ukraine, reports BBC.

    The Russian president wanted quick surety on the future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) to stem the crisis.

    “The ball is in their court, they have to give us some response,” Putin said at his annual press conference.

    The United States (US) warned of sanctions if Putin does not refrain from his actions.

    Ukraine security officials say more than 100,000 Russian troops have been sent close to its borders, and the US has threatened Putin with sanctions “like none he’s ever seen” if Ukraine comes under attack.

    Russia wanted Nato to give up all military action in Eastern Europe.

    “It’s you who must give us guarantees, and give them immediately, now,” Putin said on Thursday, stressing that military measures were not his preferred choice.

    United Kingdom (UK) Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she welcomed the fact that Moscow had “signalled it is willing to enter talks in January”, but warned any Russian attack would be met with sanctions that would hit Russia’s economy.