Volodymyr Zelensky lists Russian territories “historically” inhabited by Ukrainians.
On Monday, the Ukrainian President in a decree listed the inhabited areas of Russia, according to him, “historically” Called for respect by Ukrainians and for their rights. Volodymyr Zelenskiy lists the regions of Krasnodar, Rostov, Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, and Kursk, all in neighboring Ukraine.
The decree accuses Russia of committing and will “Actions aimed at destroying national identity and oppressing Ukrainians, violating their rights and freedoms”. The document – which condemns forced vaccinations, political repression and the deportation of Ukrainians – also calls for its inventory. “Crimes committed against Ukrainians living or living there”.
Millions of people of Ukrainian origin live in Russian territory, a result of Tsarist and Soviet domination, migration across borders and exile during the Stalinist era.
Mr. Zelensky’s decree does not claim Russian territories. On the other hand, Russia annexed five Ukrainian regions: Crimea in 2014, then Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions in 2022.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly denied the existence of a Ukrainian nation, believing that Ukrainians belong to the Russian world and that their identity is an artificial construct.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev condemned the decree, accusing Mr. Zelensky of “Territorial Claims” And it is called a drug addict. “Given that Ukrainians are actually Russians and Little Russia, there is nothing to comment on (Russian imperialist term referring to Ukrainian territory) is a part of Russia »he wrote on Telegram.
