the russian president Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday a military operation in Ukraine to defend the separatists in the east of the country.
“I have made the decision of a military operation”, Putin declared in an unexpected television message shortly before 03:00 GMT, denouncing an alleged “genocide” orchestrated by Ukraine in the east of the country.
The Russian leader, who justified his action by asking for help from pro-Russian separatists and by NATO’s aggressive policy towards Moscow, also called on the Ukrainian military to “lay down their arms”.
Putin assured that he does not want the “occupation” of Ukraine, but its “demilitarization”.
The Russian president also warned that those who “try to interfere with us (…), must know that Russia’s response will be immediate and will lead to consequences that they have never known.”
“I am sure that the soldiers and officers of Russia will fulfill their duty with courage (…) The security of the country is guaranteed,” he said.
Putin did not specify the magnitude of the military operation, nor if it was going to be limited to the rebellious east of Ukraine or beyond.
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Source: Gestion
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