Vladimir Putin justifies strikes against civilian objectives, used according to him by the Ukrainian army
Russia resumed its strikes on Ukraine on Monday after the expiration of a fragile cease-fire on Easter. In a distance exchange, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, said he wanted “A clear answer” of Moscow on his proposal as a truce concerning the strikes targeting the energy sites. Vladimir Putin expressed doubts about this project, without formally excluding the cease-fire he had decreed for last weekend.
But, as usual, the Russian president brought some nuances. According to him, Ukraine uses civil facilities for military purposes. “Everyone is aware of the attack by our armed forces against the Congress Center in the Soumy region”he explained, recognizing that it was a civilian building, but, according to him, used for a medal ceremony to soldiers who “Have committed crimes in the Koursk region”according to his rhetoric. He described as “Well -deserved revenge” The launch of two Iskander missiles, who killed 35 people on the city center during twigs on Sunday. “It was done precisely to punish them”he said. Most of the victims of this double strike were civilians, the soldiers being sheltered.
Vladimir Putin also mentioned a strike against a restaurant, referring to the April 4 attack on Kryvy Rih who killed 21 people, including nine children. “The restaurant [Magellan] is the place where soldiers hold meetings, conferences, festivities, drink vodka, etc. »»he said, developing the same rhetoric: it was indeed a civilian building, but housing soldiers.
President Donald Trump, who had promised to end the Russian-Ukrainian war in twenty-four hours if he was re-elected to the White House, has not yet managed to conclude a cease-fire agreement with both camps. He recently expressed his annoyance with regard to both kyiv and Moscow, while Washington organized distinct meetings in March in March to present a truce plan. Ukraine accepted him, Russia said that it was necessary to reshuffle him. Subsequently, the Trump administration announced a partial truce, in the Black Sea and for energy sites, but kyiv and Moscow have mutually accused of breaking it.
Source: Lemonde