KYIV: On Thursday, Russia deployed its army on the south coast of Ukraine and several cities. According to media reports, missile attacks were launched in different Ukrainian states. According to the Interfax news agency, people reported hearing gunshots near the airport situated here.
Putin: "Our plans are not to occupy #Ukraine, we do not plan to impose ourselves on anyone."
Following televised speech, explosions were heard in Kramatorsk, followed by reports of explosions or artillery firing reported in Odessa, Mariupol and capital city Kiev. #BREAKING pic.twitter.com/pDwcC56nnU— Ben Swann (@BenSwann_) February 24, 2022
Following the situation, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has imposed the martial law across the country. He briefed about his conversation with US President Joe Biden stating that the US had initiated the effort for international support. Recently Zelensky tweeted about getting support from the Emir of Qatar.
I continue negotiations with the leaders. Received support from the Emir of Qatar @TamimBinHamad. The world is with us.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 24, 2022
Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba tweeted that a full-scale invasion has been launched on peaceful cities of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin.
Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) February 24, 2022
In his second tweet, Dymtro asked the world to halt Putin. He added that Ukraine would win this war of aggression and defend itself.
The world must act immediately. Future of Europe & the world is at stake. To do list:
1. Devastating sanctions on Russia NOW, including SWIFT
2. Fully isolate Russia by all means, in all formats
3. Weapons, equipment for Ukraine
4. Financial assistance
5. Humanitarian assistance— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) February 24, 2022
Earlier, Russia had demanded to discontinue the eastward expansion of NATO and started a military operation on eastern Ukraine. Russia claimed that it had to defend itself against the possible threats from Ukraine. While speaking at the UN Security Council, Putin had said that they had appealed to the Ukrainian army to surrender and ordered the forces to protect citizens.
He further added that Russia would not impose anything forcefully and had no intention to occupy Ukraine.
PRIME MINISTER IMRAN KHAN VISITS RUSSIA
Meanwhile, Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan is on a two-day visit to Moscow. Analysts said that at a time when western forces are in tension, Mr Khan’s visit may prove to be very sensitive as it would affect Pakistan’s relations with the western world.
When asked about the concerns surrounding the visit, the National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf said that the prime minister’s visit had a bilateral nature, similar to China’s visit, where he discussed connectivity, economy and future collaborations.