In February 2022, the world was shocked when Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine, plunging the region into a devastating war. The ongoing conflict has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent civilians and displaced countless more. But despite Putin’s aggression, a senior Russian official has now shockingly accused the UK of being responsible for “unleashing” the war.
In an interview with the Russian news agency TASS, Moscow’s ambassador to London, Andrei Kelin, has claimed that Britain is keeping the conflict escalated by providing military and intelligence support to Ukraine. This is a baffling accusation, considering the fact that it was Putin who started the war by ordering his troops to invade Ukraine. Kelin conveniently ignores this fact and instead tries to shift the blame onto the UK.
His accusations were sparked by an article published in The Times last week, which revealed the extent of the British military’s support for Ukraine as it prepared to launch a counter-offensive against Russia. Kelin claims that this information did not come as a surprise to Russia, as they have known about it for a long time and have even spoken about it publicly. He goes on to say that it is ironic that British journalists are now writing about something that was previously dismissed as Russian propaganda.
But Kelin’s claims hold no water, as it is well known that it was Putin who started the war and has been the aggressor throughout. The UK’s support for Ukraine is in line with international law, which permits a country under attack to seek allies for the purpose of mutual self-defense. Kelin’s accusations are baseless, and it is clear that Russia is trying to deflect attention from its own actions.
Kelin also suggests that the UK is trying to prevent a peaceful settlement in the war, despite the fact that it is Russia who has rejected multiple attempts at brokering a ceasefire. The ambassador’s comments are not only absurd but also dangerous, as they further escalate the already tense situation. The truth is that the UK has been actively working towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict, while Russia continues to launch missile attacks on Ukraine and amass troops on the border.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Kelin claimed that Russia wants peace and has made every effort on the diplomatic front. But when pressed by the interviewer, he could not explain why Russia continues to attack Ukrainian civilians and conscript thousands of new soldiers to keep fighting the war. The reality is that Putin’s actions have caused immeasurable suffering and loss of life, and it is disingenuous to claim that Russia wants peace.
The UK’s former defense secretary, Ben Wallace, has since denounced Kelin’s accusations. He stated that it is up to Ukraine, a free and sovereign state, to decide who they want to work with in the face of the illegal Russian invasion. The UK’s support for Ukraine is based on their right to defend themselves against an aggressor. Wallace also pointed out that Putin was caught off guard by how many friends Ukraine has and how few Russia has. It must be a lonely position for Kelin to be the Russian ambassador to the UK, with little to do other than spread propaganda.
The human cost of Putin’s war in Ukraine continues to climb, with innocent civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. The UK has been at the forefront of providing humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict, while also working towards a peaceful resolution. The Russian ambassador’s accusations only serve to distract from Putin’s responsibility for the war and discredit the UK’s efforts to help bring an end to the suffering.
In conclusion, it is clear that Putin is the one who started the war in 2022 by ordering the invasion of Ukraine. The UK’s support for Ukraine is in line with international law and their right to self-defense. Kelin’s accusations are baseless and only serve to deflect attention from Russia’s actions. It is time for Russia to take responsibility for their role in the war and work towards a peaceful resolution. The innocent lives lost and the suffering of the Ukrainian people should not be ignored or exploited for political gain. The world must continue to stand in solidarity with Ukraine and support their efforts to bring an end to this senseless conflict.
