The Kremlin has criticized Ukraine for inviting the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to verify the situation in areas of Russia’s Kursk region seized by Kyiv, calling it a “pure provocation.” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha extended formal invitations to the organizations to demonstrate Ukraine’s adherence to international humanitarian law, in light of atrocities committed by Russian forces since the invasion in February 2022.
Sybiha stated that the Ukrainian army is providing humanitarian assistance and safe passage to civilians in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have been present for over a month. Kyiv claims control over approximately 100 settlements in the southern Russian region.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed issuing the invitations, requesting the ICRC to monitor Ukraine’s compliance with international humanitarian law as per the Geneva Conventions. The Kremlin labeled the invitation as a provocation, expecting a “sober assessment” from the UN and ICRC.
ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric’s visit to Moscow coincided with the invitation, with plans to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. This meeting follows an attack in eastern Ukraine where three Ukrainian ICRC employees were killed. Spoljaric has condemned the incident, emphasizing the importance of protecting civilians caught in armed conflicts.
Ukraine aims to portray its army differently from Russian forces occupying a significant portion of its territory. Meanwhile, Moscow has criticized Ukraine’s counteroffensive, leading to the evacuation of around 150,000 Russian civilians.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
