Justifications, supplications, opinions or simple observations, words can say a lot about a conflict. Compilation of striking quotes read or heard in the last days.
“I decided on a special military operation to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine so that, freed from this oppression, Ukrainians can freely choose their future. »
Here is the justification Vladimir Putin gave for his assault on Ukraine in his lengthy televised speech announcing the invasion on Thursday at dawn.
He also insinuated that Russia had no choice but to intervene, that “it was simply no longer possible to sit idly by.” We had to put an end to this nightmare without delay — a genocide against the millions of people who live there and who base their hopes only on Russia”. If the Russian president speaks there of a genocide on the part of Ukraine in the pro-Russian separatist regions of Donetsk and Lugansk, he has not however provided any proof.
“President Putin, in the name of humanity, bring your troops back to Russia! »
The phrase was coined by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday, shortly after the first news of a Russian incursion into Ukraine. “This is the saddest moment of my mandate” at the head of the UN, he added.
” [Vladimir] Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war, and now he and his country will suffer the consequences. »
From that moment, the international reactions rained, like this one from the American president Thursday noon.
“Who is ready to fight with us? I do not see anyone. Who is ready to guarantee Ukraine NATO membership? Everyone is afraid. »
For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lamented on Friday a lack of intervention from his allies in a video address on presidential social networks.
“We ask citizens [ukrainiens] to inform us of enemy movements, make Molotov cocktails, neutralize the occupier! »
A call launched Friday by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense on its Facebook page. President Zelensky had also called Thursday evening for the general mobilization of those subject to “military conscription and reservists”, within 90 days in all regions of the country.
“Horrible Russian missile fire on Kiev. The last time our capital saw something like this was in 1941 when it was attacked by Nazi Germany […]. »
Message written Friday by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kouleba on his Twitter account.
“A new iron curtain has come down and separates Russia from the civilized world. »
The Ukrainian president also used a comparison on Friday with a great conflict in history.
“We do not have in our plans an occupation of Ukrainian territories, we do not intend to impose anything by force on anyone. »
A statement by President Vladimir Putin when announcing the Russian military offensive which contrasts drastically with the actions subsequently taken by his army.
“By refusing the diplomatic path, by choosing war, President Putin has not only attacked Ukraine, he has decided to flout the sovereignty of Ukraine, he has decided to carry out the most serious attack on the peace, stability in our Europe for decades. »
Statement by French President Emmanuel Macron in an address to the nation on Thursday.
“I am against this war […] carried out to conceal the theft of Russian citizens and divert their attention from the problems […] inside the country. »
The imprisoned Russian opponent, Alexeï Navalny also spoke on Thursday on the situation, at the hearing of a new trial opened against him.
“A few days ago I said that the Russians weren’t crazy and that they wouldn’t attack Ukraine. I admit I was wrong […]. The fool must be isolated. And it is a question of defending against it only by words, but by concrete measures. »
The Czech President, Milos Zeman, did not go out of his way when commenting on the situation, calling Vladimir Putin “the madman” in a televised address.
With Agence France-Presse