Ukraine envoy: Time has come to take a stand on Russian aggression
Ukraine's Ambassador to Malaysia Olexander Nechytaylo says that the international community must take a stand on Russia's defiance of international norms by its action in his country.
Nechytaylo (above) told Malaysiakini that Ukraine condemns the Russian Federation’s decision to recognise the “independence” of the quasi-entities it had created in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine...
Ukraine's Ambassador to Malaysia Olexander Nechytaylo says that the international community must take a stand on Russia's defiance of international norms by its action in his country.
Nechytaylo (above) told Malaysiakini that Ukraine condemns the Russian Federation’s decision to recognise the “independence” of the quasi-entities it had created in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, the so-called “Luhansk People’s Republic” and “Donetsk People’s Republic”.
"The world and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres are very clear: Russia has blatantly defied the fundamental norms and principles of international law, the UN Charter, violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
"The Russian troops in Ukraine are not peacekeepers, they are occupiers," he said.
Nechytaylo said that each member of the international community must take a stand.
"It is no longer about Ukraine or Russia.
"There are only two sides now: international law and lawlessness," he said.
This comes as Russia started evacuating diplomatic staff from all of its missions in Ukraine.
The Russian Embassy in Kyiv, as well as the consulate-general in Odessa were seen on Wednesday with Russian flags taken down.
Russia's Foreign Ministry announced an evacuation of diplomatic staff from Ukraine for what it called safety reasons on Tuesday, a day after President Vladimir Putin recognised the independence of the two breakaway regions in Ukraine's east.
Putin also ordered Russian troops "to keep the peace" there while massing military along Ukrainian borders.
The United States and its allies unveiled more sanctions against Russia on Wednesday over its recognition of the two separatist areas, while making clear they were keeping tougher measures in reserve in case of a full-scale invasion by Moscow.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry requested President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to break off diplomatic ties with Russia in response to its actions and Zelenskiy said he was weighing the request.
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