Ambassador-at-Large on difference between Russian and Ukrainian approaches from international law perspective

US President Donald Trump has signed a decree on the resumption of the death penalty in Washington for those who commit murder. Against the background of the military conflict in Ukraine, terrorist acts by Ukrainian neo-Nazis and other crimes, Russia still maintains a moratorium. In his talk with the ONT TV channel, Rodion Miroshnik, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry on crimes committed by the Kiev regime, commented on the problem.

Photo: ONT video screenshot

As noted by the diplomat, the issue is actively being discussed in Russia, so such a decision can perhaps be made, when there is a political will for it.

“As for the current situation, in the conditions of the special military operation, Ukrainian militants who have survived on the battlefield may be put on trial. Meanwhile, their sentences may come into force much earlier, because they are enemies on the battlefield. These people are terrorists, rapists and murderers who have defied all norms of the law. These are people who follow political guidelines," Mr. Miroshnik noted.

At the same time, the diplomat explained the difference between the approaches of Russia and Ukraine from the point of view of international law, “The Ukrainian leadership states it is ready to undermine Russia's domestic agenda by putting pressure on civilians. Volodmyr Zelenskyy says he would like the war to come to the homes of Russians, and they are doing everything for this to happen: i.e. shelling Belgorod, making attempts at terrorist acts and using recruitment. In turn, Russia is acting differently, is sees no sense in mistreating the civilian population of Ukraine.”

Mr. Miroshnik stressed that Russia strictly follows its international obligations and humanitarian conventions, without purposefully harming the civilian population of Ukraine. According to him, the Russian Federation strikes exclusively at military targets to weaken Ukraine's military potential. This is necessary to achieve the main objectives of the operation: the elimination of the threat to Russia's security.