This Wednesday (21), the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin , announced a partial mobilization of its citizens for the war in Ukraine. According to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the decree provides for the summoning of 300,000 citizens, among those who are in the reserve and, above all, those who served in the Armed Forces.
During the speech, Putin even made a thinly veiled threat to use nuclear weapons which caused global leaders and other officials to react strongly to the announcement.
Ukraine
Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak described the move as “unpopular” and said the “predictable” mobilization underscores that the war is not going according to Moscow’s plan.
“Absolutely predictable appeal, which looks more like an attempt to justify its own failure,” Podalyak said in a text message to Reuters.
“The war is clearly not going according to the scenario expected by Russia and therefore required Putin to take extremely unpopular decisions to mobilize and severely restrict people’s rights.”
Russian opposition
Alexei Navalny, an opponent of Vladimir Putin, described the conflict as a “failed criminal war” and called for a mobilization against the measure announced by the Russian president.
“It is clear that the criminal war is getting worse, getting deeper, and Putin is trying to get as many people involved in this as possible,” he said in a video message from the prison recorded and posted by his lawyers.
“He wants to stain hundreds of thousands of people with that blood,” said Navalny.
European Union and UK
In a joint statement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Liz Truss “strongly” condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The duo met this Wednesday after the UN General Assembly in New York.
According to the note, both agreed that Putin’s recent calls to mobilize parts of the population were a sign that the Russian invasion is failing. “It is a declaration of weakness”, says document.
Also according to the statement, Ursula and Liz recognized the courage and bravery of the Ukrainian people and underlined their joint commitment to supporting Ukraine in its struggle for as long as necessary.
France
French President Emmanuel Macron also spoke out and said that the Russian president is making a “new mistake”.
“I think the decision taken in the last few hours by President Putin is a new mistake. It is clear that we need peace and a ceasefire,” Macron said in English.
“Today, Russia is increasingly isolated and increasingly committed to a war that only [a Rússia] wants, and that it is illegal and illegitimate. Everyone is asking for peace. No one understands the choices made by Russia anymore,” she added.
latvia
In a speech to the UN General Assembly, Latvian President Egils Levits pointed out that Putin’s move proves that Russia’s “mighty army is overwhelmed” by Ukrainian forces.
“The heroic defense mounted by the people of Ukraine is bringing success… The blitzkrieg [tática militar russa] predicted by President Putin has turned into a long nightmare,” he said.
Estonia
THE CNN , Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said Putin was “clearly afraid”. “The threat has always been real, considering that Russia is a nuclear power. And we see that this war is not in line with Putin’s plans, so he is clearly afraid.” CNN .
“That’s why he’s taking the next steps: first, by holding false referendums saying these are Russian territories, then when Ukraine does counterattacks, saying that Ukraine is now attacking Russia, giving reasons to increase even further. most [a ofensiva]” he explained.
On the possible use of nuclear weapons, Kaja said Putin is doing it “to make us afraid, and we shouldn’t be afraid of his threats.”
“We must not give an inch. In fact, we should put more pressure on Russia to stop this war, because now the discontent within Russian society is also increasing, because they too are feeling the war in their own skin, so to speak.”
*With information from CNN International
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m James Harper, a highly experienced and accomplished news writer for World Stock Market. I have been writing in the Politics section of the website for over five years, providing readers with up-to-date and insightful information about current events in politics. My work is widely read and respected by many industry professionals as well as laymen.
