Ukraine has cut all diplomatic ties with Russia after President Vladimir Putin launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine by land, air and sea.
Gatekeepers News reports that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the country’s decision to break diplomatic relations with Moscow in response to Russia’s invasion of its Western-backed neighbour.
“We broke off diplomatic relations with Russia,” Zelenskyy said in a video message on Thursday.
“Ukraine is defending itself and will not give up its freedom, no matter what Moscow thinks. Russia vilely and suicidally attacked our state in the morning. Just like fascist Germany did during the second world war.”
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba has also called on its foreign partners to follow Kyiv in cutting off diplomatic ties with Russia over “the most blatant act of aggression in Europe since WWII.”
The Ukrainian leader has called on everyone with combat experience to take up arms, asked for blood donors and guaranteed an amnesty to “all those who are now under sanctions but are ready to fight with Russia.”
Ukraine’s foreign ministry said it began the process of cutting diplomatic ties with Russia and has begun evacuating its embassy in Moscow, but noted that its consular services in the country continue working as normal.
