The Parliament of Ukraine has approved a national state of emergency after Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale military invasion and demanded Kyiv’s to lay down it’s army’s weapons.
.In what is probably the largest European conflict since the second world war, Putin has stated that “the goal is to defend people who have been victims of abuse and genocide from the Kyiv regime and we will strive to demilitarise and de-Nazify Ukraine.” Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Parliament has enacted martial law, which means that citizens are allowed to carry firearms and act in self-defence.
US President Joe Biden has condemned what he has called an “unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces” whilst EU council members, including Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela, are set to attend an urgent Council meeting regarding the Russian aggression.
Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said that ‘peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.’
In order to justify the attack, Vladimir Putin claimed that a ‘hostile anti-Russia is being created on our historic lands.’ He went on to state that Russia does not indent to occupy Ukraine, but he did issue a chilling warning for other nations.
‘To anyone who would consider interfering from the outside: if you do, you will face consequences greater than any you have faced in history. All relevant decisions have been taken. I hope you hear me.’
Russian media reported that the declaration of war may have been pre-recorded. The Russian president was wearing the same tie and seated at the same desk when he announced his recognition of the Russian-controlled territories on Monday.
As Putin’s words were being broadcast and the first explosions were being reported, the UN Security Council was holding an emergency session, chaired by Russia itself. UN secretary general Antonio Guterres made a direct appeal; ‘President Putin – stop your troops from attacking Ukraine. Give peace a chance. Too many people have died.
This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available.
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