Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has begun a procedure of cutting diplomatic relations with Russia in accordance with law, News.Az reports.

"President Volodymyr Zelensky supported the proposal of Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry to severe diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Russia. On behalf of the President of Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry has launched a procedure to sever diplomatic relations in accordance with international law," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry stressed that Kyiv took such a step in response to Russia’s military operation in Ukraine.

"Ukraine declares the severance of diplomatic relations with Russia without the severance of consular relations, in accordance with Article 2 of the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. We will continue to protect the rights and interests of Ukrainians in Russia, including Ukrainian political prisoners,” the ministry added.  

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Thursday declared the beginning of a special military operation in eastern Ukraine.

“Moscow’s plans do not include an occupation of Ukraine. It is for the right of the Ukrainian people to self-determination,” the Russian leader noted.

News.Az