“We will defend our soil.” Ukraine’s Charge d’Affaires in Thailand comments on Russian invasion

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On February 24, 2022, the President of the Russian Federation announced the start of the new wave of aggression against Ukraine.

The arguments to justify the aggression are legally null and void, and they constitute a crime in terms of universal values, and do not respect the legally effective bilateral international treaties between Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

A new war, a full-scale armed conflict in the very heart of Europe, was launched by Russia.

The aggressor state crossed Ukraine’s borders from Russia and Belarus, launched missiles on our cities, attacked with aviation, tanks and artillery, and then sent subversion and reconnaissance groups.

Shelling and fighting continues along the state border with Russia and Belarus in Donbas, and along the administrative boundary with the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea. Russia simultaneously attacks Ukraine from the east, south, north and by air.

As of 10:30 pm, 24 February, the Russian troops fired at our positions 393 times including 32 civilian objects, destroyed 6 control posts, seized the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station, and have seized part of the southern Kherson region including the North Crimean Canal.

Hundreds of people including children were killed and wounded in Ukraine during the first day of the Russian invasion. Many objects of infrastructure were also ruined.

The last time we saw such actions was the Second World War, when another totalitarian ruler decided he had the right to re-draw borders of the sovereign states in Europe and bring death and misery to millions of people only to realize his perverted wishes.

The goal of the Russian offensive military operation is to destroy the Ukrainian democratic state, to seize by force our territory, and to establish an occupational regime loyal to Moscow.

This is an act of war, an attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, a brutal violation of the UN Charter and basic norms and principles of international law.

In response, Ukraine has activated its right for self-defence according to article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

We will defend our soil.

Russian troops are suffering losses: aircrafts, helicopters, tanks, trucks, personnel.

The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine gave orders to inflict the maximum losses to the aggressor.

Thousands of Ukrainian citizens have already joined the ranks of territorial defense. More are to come in the next few days.

Yesterday, the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) of Ukraine approved the President’s decision to impose martial law on the entire territory of Ukraine for a period of 30 days with the aim to ensure Ukraine’s defense, public safety and state interests.

The Armed Forces, all special and law enforcement agencies of the state are on alert. The National Security and Defense Council is working in an emergency mode. The airspace of Ukraine for the civil aircrafts is closed due to the possible threats.

Ukraine has cut off diplomatic relations with Russia.

We count upon the proper reaction by the international community. We are grateful to our partners, which continue to provide additional support in a variety of ways.

We urge the international community to show solidarity with Ukraine by:

  • imposing immediately the massive coordinated sanctions against Russia.
  • isolating Russia in all possible international fora.
  • supporting Ukraine with weapons, protective equipment, fuel, and whatever necessary to counter the biggest army in the continent.
  • providing financial support.

We appreciate sanctions imposed by a number of countries of the world (EU, Australia, Canada), especially the strongest sanctions already imposed by the US and the UK, which will severely undermine Russia’s economic and financial capacities to continue its aggression.

We expect the EU to join the comprehensive bank sanctions and to include SWIFT into the package.

We call on the international organizations to provide us with humanitarian assistance and register all cases of violations of the norms of international and international humanitarian law.

The military escalation throughout the territory of Ukraine is accompanied by attempts to undermine the spirit of the society through panic, cyber-attacks, information and psychological operations, intensification of Russian agents of influence and sabotage groups, etc.

Taking into account a very serious security situation and heavy military attacks that are currently being rebuffed by Ukraine, we call on the international community to act immediately. Only decisive actions can stop Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The absence of proper reaction or a neutral position will only contribute to further escalation and suffering. And it will not be limited to Ukraine’s border and territory.

Not only the lives and security of Ukrainian citizens, but also security of citizens of the entire Europe and the future of the world order depend on our joint response.

We hope a wide Ukrainian community abroad would join the Government of Ukraine in delivering truth on Russia’s war in Europe. The Russian population is actively protesting against Putin’s insane decision. Nearly 600 of Russian citizens have already been detained for participating in peaceful assemblies throughout Russia.

Unfortunately, all attempts to find a peaceful solution to prevent the conflict failed. Russia started the war. But we must stop it, the sooner – the better.

We call upon all nations in the world, including Thailand, to take all political and practical measures to stop the aggressor immediately.

In particular, we urge Thai authorities to make a strong statement in support of Ukraine and condemn the criminal actions of the Russian Federation.

Orel PavloCharge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Ukraine in Thailand for Thai Enquirer

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