Russia’s ambassador to the European Union has said that his country would have the right to retaliate if it felt the need to protect Russian citizens living in eastern Ukraine. The Russian ambassador has said this in an interview given to the British newspaper Guardian. Russian Ambassador Vladimir Chizhov said that we will not attack unless we are provoked to do so. He said, if Ukrainians attack against Russia.
“We will not invade Ukraine unless we are provoked to do that, “Chizhov said. “If Ukrainians launch an attack against Russia, you shouldn’t be surprised if we counterattack. Or, if they start blatantly killing Russian citizens anywhere – Donbass or wherever.”
We’re leaving our embassies, have increased our diplomatic forces inside the embassy; have to ensure safety of around 15,000 Israelis living in Ukraine and the Jewish community; encouraged everyone to leave but not everyone leaves: Naor Gilon, Israel Envoy to India on Ukraine crisis.
Russia’s defence ministry spokesperson on Tuesday said the country was pulling back some of its forces near the Ukrainian border to their bases. The Krelim has also confirmed that troops are being pulled back, news agency AFP reported. Moscow had massed well over 1,30,000 troops near the Ukranian borders.
Meanwhile, the Indian embassy in Kyiv issued a statement Tuesday asking citizens whose stay in Ukraine is non-essential to consider leaving the country “temporarily”. It said that the embassy will continue to function normally.
