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Topics: Russia, Ukraine, World News, Vladimir Putin
Emily Brown
A spokesperson for the Kremlin has declined to say how long Russia's invasion of Ukraine will last as he claimed the country will not change its mind 'like a girl'.
Russian forces entered Ukraine following Vladimir Putin's orders yesterday, February 24, resulting in dozens of deaths and damage to infrastructure as it bombed military targets near the country's big cities.
The move prompted leaders in the West to announce new sanctions on Russia in a bid to deter Putin's advances, but Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refused to comment on how long the 'special military operation' will last while speaking today, February 25.
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According to Reuters, per Sky News, Peskov said that Russia acknowledges Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky's willingness to discuss his country's neutral status and that Russia will 'analyse it', but that the country's expectations of Ukraine's government remain the same as Russia doesn't its change mind 'like a girl'.
Just moments before the first strikes hit Ukraine at around 5.00am local time yesterday morning, Putin claimed Russia could not feel 'safe, develop and exist' because of what he described as a constant threat from Ukraine, and baselessly claimed he wanted the 'demilitarisation and de-Nazification' of the neighbouring country.
He also accused NATO of threatening Russia's 'historic future as a nation' due to Ukraine's movement towards the European Union.
In response, Western leaders made clear they stand with Ukraine and announced sanctions which target banks, businesses and individuals, including 'all the major manufacturers that support Putin's war machine' and restrictions on the exports of advanced technology.
Johnson described the sanctions planned by the UK as the 'largest set of sanctions ever imposed anywhere by the UK government', while US President Joe Biden stressed Putin and his country 'will bear the consequences' as he announced his country's new list of sanctions yesterday.
Speaking after a virtual meeting with the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Italy and Japan, Biden said: 'Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war.'
Peskov today admitted that sanctions being enforced on the invading country will cause problems, but claimed they are solvable. Yesterday, he said Russia has created enough safety tools to survive market volatility brought about by the invasion, and said the 'emotional' financial market reaction would even out.
He added that Putin will meet his security council today and hold several international calls to discuss the ongoing events. The UK's newly announced sanctions are set to come into force when they are laid in parliament, which is likely to be as soon as next week for some.
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