In the past few days, the propaganda machine of the West and Ukraine has focused exclusively on fueling hysteria over video taken, as we understand, by the military and security service of Ukraine in the city of Bucha, Kiev Region.
Assertions of “war crimes” committed by the Russian Armed Forces in the course of the special military operation have repeatedly been proved false at the detailed briefings by the Russian Defence Ministry, our Ministry and the Permanent Mission to the UN where we held a special news conference yesterday. Today our Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya set forth our position in great detail, cited facts and read out the testimonies of witnesses at a meeting of the UN Security Council.
The question, then, is what purpose does this blatantly false provocation serve? We are inclined to view it as a pretext to torpedo the ongoing negotiations at a time when some light, however dim, has appeared at the end of the tunnel. At the talks in Istanbul on March 29, 2022, Ukrainian representatives set forth in writing their vision for a treaty on Ukraine’s status and security guarantees for the first time during contacts between our delegations.
(Note: the statement breaks off here. The Russian Foreign Ministry website states it is “to be continued” )