Russia kills civilians, abducts children - European Commission reminds Brazil who is aggressor and who is victim in war

This was reported by Radio Liberty.

"Russia and only Russia is responsible for the illegal and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine. There is no question who is the aggressor and who is the victim. Russia is killing Ukrainian civilians, destroying Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, abducting Ukrainian children, and stealing Ukrainian property and territories. And the EU, together with the United States and other international partners, are helping Ukraine to ensure its legitimate right to self-defense," he said.

Stano noted that Russia has violated the UN Charter, and Brazil has previously recognized this by condemning Russia's armed aggression along with more than 140 countries. The diplomat also noted that Moscow has been repeatedly offered to hold talks, but has refused, only escalating the conflict.

"He (President Putin - ed.) began to use energy as a weapon, hunger as a weapon, thus affecting not only Ukrainians but also other people around the world. He also used winter for this purpose, and it was he who resorted to nuclear intimidation and threats," the official said.

Stano emphasized that the EU supports the establishment of peace as soon as possible, but, according to him, it is up to Ukraine to decide when to start negotiations.

"The EU, of course, supports the establishment of peace as soon as possible. But let's not forget: Ukraine is a victim. Therefore, it is up to Ukraine to decide on the conditions under which peace talks should begin," he emphasized.

• Earlier, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva accused Putin and Zelenskyy of "not taking steps to reconcile" and said that it was necessary to create an analog of the G20 to end the war in Ukraine. According to him, he has already discussed this possibility with some states.