The Russian Federation has strongly defended its military intervention in Ukraine, insisting that the roots of the conflict date back to 2014 rather than February 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, the Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podelyshev, rejected widespread claims that Russia carried out an “unprovoked invasion,” arguing instead that Moscow’s actions were a response to years of political instability, alleged discrimination against Russian-speaking populations, and growing security concerns near its borders.
According to the envoy, the crisis began during the 2013–2014 protests in Kyiv, which led to the removal of then-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. Podelyshev described the development as a Western-backed “coup d’état” that deepened divisions within Ukraine and triggered unrest in predominantly Russian-speaking regions.
The ambassador alleged that the new Ukrainian leadership introduced policies that marginalized Russian-speaking citizens by restricting the use of the Russian language in schools, media, and public institutions. He claimed these actions fueled resistance movements in regions such as Crimea and the Donbass, eventually escalating into armed confrontations between Ukrainian forces and separatist groups in eastern Ukraine.
Podelyshev argued that years of fighting in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions caused significant civilian casualties and humanitarian suffering, which he said received insufficient international attention. He further maintained that Russia repeatedly pushed for a diplomatic solution through the Minsk Agreements, internationally brokered peace accords aimed at ending hostilities and granting special status to separatist-controlled territories.
However, the envoy accused Ukraine and its Western allies of failing to fully implement the agreements, insisting that diplomatic efforts collapsed before Russia opted for military intervention.
“Russia consistently pushed for a peaceful resolution through the Minsk framework,” he stated, adding that Moscow resorted to military action only after diplomatic channels were exhausted.
The ambassador also defended Russia’s recognition of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk republics prior to the 2022 invasion, saying their appeals for assistance prompted Moscow’s response under what he described as mutual defense arrangements.
Podelyshev criticized Western governments for what he termed a selective interpretation of international law, arguing that while the West emphasizes Ukraine’s territorial integrity, it ignores the principle of self-determination claimed by separatist regions.
He maintained that Russia’s objective was not territorial expansion but the protection of civilians and prevention of further violence, urging observers to consider the broader historical and geopolitical context surrounding the war.
The briefing also coincided with Russia’s renewed criticism of Western narratives surrounding both the Ukraine conflict and the history of the Second World War. The ambassador accused some Western countries of distorting historical realities and diminishing the role played by the Soviet Union in defeating Nazism during World War II.
Russia has repeatedly defended its position on the Ukraine war in international forums, while Ukraine and its Western allies continue to describe Russia’s actions as a violation of international law and Ukrainian sovereignty.
The conflict, which escalated dramatically in February 2022, has since resulted in thousands of deaths, mass displacement, destruction of infrastructure, and rising geopolitical tensions between Russia and Western nations. Recent statements from Ukrainian officials indicate that fighting and drone attacks continue across several regions despite ongoing diplomatic discussions over possible ceasefire arrangements
