Ukraine: Taliban Releases Statement Regarding Russian Invasion

The Taliban has released a statement amid Russia's full-scale, calamitous invasion of Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's 'special military operation' in Ukraine is heading into its second day. It's believed 137 Ukrainian people, both troops and civilians, have been killed, as well as 450 Russian troops.

Moscow has been vastly criticised across the world, slamming Russia's 'barbaric' use of missile attacks across Ukraine, with the UK, EU and US preparing to enforce some of the strongest sanctions ever seen in history.

Abdul Qahar Balkhi, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the new Taliban government followings its takeover last year, said it's 'monitoring the situation in Ukraine and expresses concern about real possibility of civilian casualties'.

'The Islamic Emirate calls for restraint by both parties. All sides need to desist from taking positions that could intensify violence. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, in line with its foreign policy of neutrality, calls on both sides of the conflict to resolve crisis through dialogue and peaceful means,' the statement continues.

'The Islamic Emirate also calls on parties to the conflict to pay attention to safeguarding the lives of Afghan students and migrants in Ukraine.'

While not siding with Russia, the statement plays to both sides of the conflict rather than the more overt criticism across the world. However, Russia has received the backing of Myanmar. 'Firstly, [Putin] views Russia carried out this performance for its perpetuation of sovereignty and it should be done by Russia,' a Myanmar junta spokesperson said, as per Sky News.

'Second, he views that Russia shows its position to the world as a world power on the balance of power which controls world peace.'

Speaking today, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said, 'I will not trigger a European war. But what I will do is help Ukraine fight in every street with every piece of equipment we can get to them... Putin is not rational. He doesn't believe the Baltic states are really countries. We all have to stand up to him.'

This also comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Putin could face war crime charges over the invasion of Ukraine, saying 'anyone who sends a Russian into battle to kill innocent Ukrainians' could be brought to court.

Johnson said he was working with allies to set up a 'particular international war crimes tribunal for those involved in war crimes in the Ukraine theatre'.

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