Boris Bondarev criticised the ‘aggressive warfare unleashed’ by Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine.
A veteran Russian diplomat to the United Nations workplace in Geneva has handed in his resignation and despatched a press release to overseas colleagues criticising the “aggressive warfare unleashed” by Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine.
Boris Bondarev, who labored as a counsellor at Russia’s everlasting mission to the UN in Geneva, instructed the Reuters information company: “I went to the mission like another Monday morning and I forwarded my resignation letter and I walked out.”
Within the assertion, circulated to quite a few diplomatic missions in Geneva, he condemned the invasion of Ukraine and lashed out at Russia’s overseas ministry.
“For twenty years of my diplomatic profession I've seen completely different turns of our overseas coverage, however by no means have I been so ashamed of my nation as on February 24 of this yr,” Bondarev mentioned within the assertion first revealed by UN Watch, an advocacy group.
The date refers to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in what Russian President Vladimir Putin describes as a “particular army operation” to “de-nazify” the nation.
“The aggressive warfare unleashed by Putin in opposition to Ukraine, and actually in opposition to all the Western world, will not be solely a criminal offense in opposition to the Ukrainian folks, but additionally, maybe, essentially the most critical crime in opposition to the folks of Russia,” the assertion mentioned.
There was no instant remark from the Russian everlasting mission to the UN.
Bondarev, 41, mentioned he had labored with the Russian ministry of overseas affairs for twenty years, and had labored as counsellor on the nation’s mission in Geneva since 2019.
The resignation represents a uncommon protest from a Russian diplomat as dissenting and demanding voices, particularly of Moscow’s narrative of the warfare, have been swiftly cracked down on. It comes at a time when Putin’s authorities has sought to crack down on dissent over the invasion.
“Those that conceived this warfare need just one factor — to stay in energy endlessly, reside in pompous tasteless palaces, sail on yachts comparable in tonnage and price to all the Russian Navy, having fun with limitless energy and full impunity,” he mentioned within the assertion.
BREAKING: 🇷🇺 Russia’s Counsellor to the United Nations in Geneva has resigned.
Boris Bondarev: “By no means have I been so ashamed of my nation.”
UN Watch is now calling on all different Russian diplomats on the United Nations—and worldwide—to observe his ethical instance and resign.
— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) Might 23, 2022
The diplomat didn't spare harsh criticism of Russia’s overseas ministry and its chief, Sergey Lavrov, who has been a staunch defender of Putin’s army operation: “In 18 years, he went from an expert and educated mental, whom a lot of my colleagues held in such excessive esteem, to an individual who continually broadcasts conflicting statements and threatens the world (that's, Russia too) with nuclear weapons!
“As we speak, the Ministry of International Affairs will not be about diplomacy. It's all about warmongering, lies and hatred,” he added.
The diplomat instructed the Related Press information company that he had not acquired any response but from Russian officers, however added: “Am I involved concerning the potential response from Moscow? I've to be involved about it.”
He recommended his case might change into an instance. “If my case is prosecuted, then if different folks wish to observe, they'd not,” he recommended.
Hillel Neur, UN Watch government director praised Bondarev’s transfer and urged different Russian diplomats on the UN “to observe his ethical instance and resign”.
Post a Comment