DILI, 26 february 2022 (TATOLI) – The Government of Timor-Leste, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MNEK), expressed its concern with the current situation in Ukraine.
“We urge all parties to the conflict to agree to an immediate ceasefire and pursue a diplomatic solution to Russia and Ukraine conflict,” Magno said in a statement released on saturday (26/02)
She said a ceasefire is the only diplomatic solution to prevent war between the two countries.
“As a nation that came back from the ashes of forced occupation, Timor-Leste recognized that war brings benefits to no one,” Magno said.
Magno said Ukraine’s independence must be respected, saying it deserved to remain as an independent country.
Aljazeera, on early saturday reported that the invasion of Ukraine began early on thursday with missile attacks on cities and military bases, followed by a multipronged ground assault that rolled troops in from separatist-held areas in the east; from the southern region of Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014; and from Belarus to the north.
The assault, anticipated for weeks by the West, amounts to Europe’s most significant ground conflict since World War II. It is unclear how much or little Russian forces have seized or the extent of the casualties, Aljazeera said.
Aljazeera reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appealed for a ceasefire and warned in a bleak statement of an impending Russian assault in Kyiv and other cities across the country.
On the other hand, Zelenskyy also urged European countries to do more to help as he urged his citizens to halt Russia’s invasion.
Russian forces have so far knocked out 211 Ukrainian military installations, including 17 command centers, 19 air defense missile systems, 39 radar units, 67 tanks, and six warplanes, said Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman, Major General Igor Konashenkov, quoted by Aljazeera.
The Russian military also said it seized a strategic airport outside Kyiv, allowing it to quickly build up forces to take the capital.
“So far, UN had verified at least 25 civilian deaths and 102 injured, mostly from shelling and air attacks,” said Ravina Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, quoted by Aljazeera, on early saturday (26/02).
On thursday (24/02) UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, called Russian President Vladimir Putin not to attack Ukraine.
“So, if indeed, an operation is being prepared, I have only one thing to say from the bottom of my heart: President Putin, stop your troops from attacking Ukraine,” said Guterres at a UN Security Council meeting.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
