War crimes: Ukraine set to drag Putin before Intl Court – Defense Attaché

• …insists it has no nuclear weapons

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

As Russia unprovoked aggression against Ukraine continues unabated for a month, Ukrainian government pledged to drag President Vladmir Putin of Russia  before the International Criminal Court for war crimes.

The embattled nation intimated that its government is already working to bring Putin to justice for his crimes on its territory in accordance with international law.

Defense Attache to Nigeria in the Ukraine Embassy, Colonel Andrii Vasyliev, expressed that, in the one month old war, so many Ukrainian homes have been destroyed and thousand killed, stating that Putin and Russia committed crime against humanity by violating all Geneva convention to protect the civilians.

He also revealed that 355,000 Ukrainians from United States and European countries have returned home since the war started to take up arms in defense of the sovereignty.

Addressing the press, yesterday to mark exactly one month Russia declared war against its state,  , revealed that 115 children have been killed while 140 wounded in the onslaught.

Vasyliev also revealed that the aggressor have committed sexual crimes, adding that Ukraine will make sure they all get justice they deserved.

He said, ‘’The government of Ukraine is already working to bring Putin to justice for his crimes on the territory of Ukraine in accordance with international law.’’

‘’Russia and Putin have been committing war crimes. They did not adhere to the Geneva Convention. A breach of the convention is crime against humanity

‘’Over 115 children have been killed and many others injured in the war. The war started February 24, a month ago. The war Russia is waging is mean and cruel.

However, Ukraine has declared it has no chemical weapon in its possession, rather Russia, insisted that that has been Russia propaganda against Ukraine for the last eight years. 

‘’Ukraine has no chemical weapon and it is a known fact to everyone.

Driving home his point, he however, informed that, there has been confirmation of Russia’s preparation for a chemical attack against Ukraine.

According to them, the presence of chemist was detected in the occupation contingent of the Russian Federation.

Ukraine maintained that Russia propaganda was to project them as not an independent nation, create an image of Ukraine as an enemy, thereby, instigating Russians to take up arms against Ukraine.

On the relationship between Ukraine and NATO, Vasyliev, cleared that Ukraine is not yet a member of NATO, ‘’ We are still waiting for NATO to get clear indication if it is ready to accept Ukraine.

‘’ This is why NATO countries cannot fight for us, but they have shown great support, financially and otherwise and we are very grateful.

Going further, he explained that negotiations with Russia continues, but the outcome of such meetings were not published.

‘’President Zelensky has said he is ready to meet President Putin physically but there has been no response from Putin.

Concluding, he reiterated that Ukraine will not backdown on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

‘’Russia should withdraw its troops from Ukraine. This is the position of President Zelenskey.’’