Ukraine Severs Diplomatic Relations with Russia

The decision was made after the start of Russia’s special military operation in the Donbass Ukraine has decided to sever diplomatic relations with Russia after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an armed invasion against it. This was stated at a briefing on Thursday by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “We have severed diplomatic relations with Russia,” he said. Zelensky said on Tuesday that had received a request from the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry to sever diplomatic relations with Russia. Zelensky announced the introduction of martial law throughout Ukraine after the start of Russia’s special military operation in the Donbass. The day before, he addressed the citizens of Russia. “The people of Ukraine want peace, the Ukrainian authorities want peace,” Zelensky said. Ukraine will never pose a threat to Russia. “The war will deprive everyone of security guarantees,” Zelensky said. According to him, he tried to contact Vladimir Putin by phone on February 23, but the Kremlin did not respond. Zelensky also assured that Kyiv is not going to “bomb” Donbass, and Ukrainians cannot hate Russian culture, but stressed that Ukraine will defend itself. On Thursday night, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the start of a “special military operation” on the territory of Ukraine. He said its goals include “protection of people who have been subjected to bullying and genocide by the Kyiv regime for eight years,” “demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine,” as well as “bringing to justice those who committed numerous bloody crimes against civilians, including citizens of the Russian Federation.” Голос Америки