The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has issued an official statement in response to recent remarks by the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. The Ministry emphasizes that the leadership of the Russian Federation is once again trying to shift the responsibility for the war, ignoring the resolutions of the UN General Assembly that recognize Russia as an aggressor state. The agency reminds that the UN Charter guarantees the right to self-defense in the event of armed attack, and this right is not limited by territorial boundaries.
This is reported by Kyiv24
“There are no territorial limitations on the application of such a right to self-defense. This means that strikes on legitimate military targets in the Russian Federation are a permissible means of protection against the aggressor, including the protection of civilians from Russian missile and drone terror.”
Difference Between the Actions of Ukraine and Russia
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stresses that one cannot equate the actions of the Ukrainian and Russian military. Ukraine conducts strikes solely on military facilities on the territory of the Russian Federation, which is part of self-defense against aggression and a means of protecting the civilian population from massive missile and drone attacks. At the same time, the Russian army deliberately attacks civilian infrastructure and peaceful citizens, which, according to international law, qualifies as acts of aggression and terror.
Diplomats note that the Russian aviation, which has become a target for Ukrainian strikes, was refueled and armed for new attacks on Ukraine, indicating the direct involvement of this equipment in the aggression against the Ukrainian state.
Proposal for a Ceasefire and Meeting of Leaders
The Foreign Ministry’s statement emphasizes that Ukraine proposed a ceasefire three months ago, and this initiative remains valid. The agency calls on Vladimir Putin to stop blaming Ukraine for strikes on military aircraft and to agree to at least a 30-day ceasefire. In addition, the Ukrainian side insists on Russia’s rejection of unrealistic ultimatums and openness to a personal meeting between the President of the Russian Federation and Volodymyr Zelensky to initiate genuine negotiations for establishing a just and lasting peace.
The Foreign Ministry emphasizes that it is Russia that is dragging out the process of peaceful resolution and seeking excuses to continue hostilities, while Ukraine is ready for constructive dialogue.
It is worth noting that earlier, Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed Russia’s desire to receive international condemnation of Ukrainian strikes on Russian airfields. At the same time, it became known about a phone conversation between Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. According to Trump, Putin “very firmly stated that he would have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields.”
On June 1, Ukrainian drones attacked several Russian military airfields, using drones disguised in modular houses on trucks. According to the Security Service of Ukraine, more than 40 Russian aircraft were destroyed, and the operation was prepared for a year and a half. Independent analysis of videos and satellite images confirmed the destruction of at least 11 Russian strategic bombers.