President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has supported the proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine regarding the severance of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation.
At the request of the Head of State, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has initiated the procedure to sever diplomatic relations in accordance with the norms established by international law.
“Our country took this step in response to acts of military aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, the invasion of Russian Armed Forces to destroy the Ukrainian state and the seizure by force of Ukrainian territories with the intent of establishing occupation control,” the MFA said in a statement.
“We emphasize that the Russian offensive operation is an attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, a gross violation of the UN Charter, and the established norms and principles of international law,” the MFA added.
According to the Ministry, Ukraine is severing diplomatic relations with Russia, but is maintaining consular functions, in accordance with Article 2 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations from 1963.
“We will continue to defend the rights and interests of Ukrainians in Russia, including Ukrainian political prisoners,” the MFA statement said.
The MFA has recalled to Kyiv the Charge d’affaires of Ukraine in Russia, Vasyl Pokotylo, for consultations.
The MFA has also commenced the evacuation of Ukraine’s Embassy in Moscow.
Ukrainian Consulates on the territory of the Russian Federation are operating in their routine capacities for the time.