On Friday April 1, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe organized a roundtable with regarding on the Ukraine crisis.
A statement released by the U.S. Embassy, in particular notes that Russian President Putin on February 24 directed his forces to begin a premeditated, full-scale, devastating war against Ukraine – the largest assault on a European state since World War II. There is simply no justification or provocation for Putin’s choice of war.
According to the statement, the Kremlin wants to portray NATO enlargement as an imperial project aimed at destabilizing Russia.
“Nothing is further from the truth. NATO is a defensive alliance. It has never sought the demise of Russia. In the lead-up to the current crisis, the United States and NATO worked for months to engage Russia to avert a war,” the statement says.
“Putin has also claimed that a goal of the invasion is to “de-Nazify" Ukraine. It is a lie that makes no sense. President Zelenskiy was democratically elected. He is Jewish. His father’s family was wiped out in the Nazi Holocaust.
“Since the war in Ukraine began over a month ago, the Kremlin has killed countless Ukrainians, sent thousands of Russian soldiers to their deaths, destroyed vibrant cities, and displaced more than 10 million people. In just one month, Putin’s aggression has forever destroyed countless lives, to include those of the “Russian-speaking” Ukrainians whom Putin hollowly and cynically claimed needed to be protected.
“Recent reports also estimate that nearly 10.000 Russian soldiers have been killed in action and more than 16,000 wounded, although the Russian Federation is only officially reporting a fraction of the human cost for its own forces and their families.
“As the Secretary announced March 23, based on information currently available, the U.S. government assesses that members of Russia's forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine.
“President Zelenskiy and the people of Ukraine continue to show strength and courage in their country's fight against the Kremlin's forces.
“We support the people of Ukraine in their just cause — the defense of their country and their democracy. The United States has committed to provide over US$2 billion in military equipment to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden Administration — anti-air systems, anti-armor systems, and ammunition.
“Sanctions from scores of countries have set Russia's economy back dramatically. Together with partners and allies, we will step up efforts to enforce the measures in place and are developing additional ones to increase the cost to Russia. Sanctions and punishing costs are the only things that will get Russia to change its course. These international sanctions are reducing Russia's ability to replenish its military.
“As President Biden has emphasized, the people of Russia are not our enemy. The American people stand with those in Russia and the brave citizens in of Ukraine who want peace. This war is not worthy of the Russian people.
“And as we have done since the beginning of this crisis, we will continue to support Ukraine’s commitment to engage in diplomacy that leads to Russia stopping its attacks and withdrawing its forces.
While we will defer to Ukraine to discuss the specifics of the negotiations, we are committed to a Ukraine that is sovereign, independent, and secure.
“Let us be clear-eyed about the reality of what is happening on the ground. No one should be fooled by the Kremlin’s announcements. We believe any movement of forces from around Kyiv is a redeployment, not a withdrawal, and the world should be prepared for a major offensive against other areas of Ukraine.
“We and our Allies and partners will continue working to keep civilians safe, respond to the needs of refugees and those displaced inside Ukraine, and provide critical, life-saving supplies.
“The United States plans to welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainian citizens and others fleeing Russia’s aggression.
“ The United States has also prepared to commit more than US$1 billion towards humanitarian assistance for those affected by Russia’s war in Ukraine and its severe global impact, in addition to the nearly $300 million provided in the last month.
“There is no looming victory on the horizon for Putin and the Russian Federation. The clear choice for the Kremlin is to stop its attacks and the withdraw of its forces to end the needless suffering and allow the people of Ukraine to return home and live in peace. Vladimir Putin can and must end this war,” the statement concludes.
