President Brandin Condemns Russian "Full Scale Attack" on Ukraine

President Brandin has condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine in an evening address from the Presidential Palace.

"It's with great sadness and remorse that I inform you today that Russia has launched a full scale attack on the sovereignty of Ukraine" said the President. "I want to express my sympathy to the people of Ukraine, but also to express to them my support."

In his speech, he said that, ahead of the address, he had been contemplating with Prime Minister MikeBodwin on how to respond to Russia's aggression against Ukraine and whether or not it was of "international implications or a regional matter". Together, they concluded that Demarcia would stand with Ukraine regardless - and through force.

"The Prime Minister and I agreed quickly that Demarcia would respond to this act of aggression in force. Today, I am deploying members of our Air Force to Ukraine to assist in aerial support. The Russians have kept their attacks mostly from above and the Ukrainian people struggle with that. As a result, I've deployed, in number, 50 D-14v fighter jets, 10 D-11 stealth bombers and 15 transport planes. While most of these resources will be working defence, we will be working offense as well."

The President has also announced that Demarcia would be opening its borders to Ukrainian refugees.

Finishing his address, he declared that Demarcia is a country "of love, and peace, and prosperity", stating that "we will protect ours, and those around us, as our own".

"We may be a small country, but I like to think we play a big role. To the people of Ukraine, we stand with you, not just with our words, but through our actions. God bless you. And may god bless the people of Ukraine, and Demarcia. Thank you."

Asked whether the country would be joining in sanctions against Russia, the President responded that "other countries are focused on sanctions and not on boots on the ground; we appreciate the sanctions, but we want to offer direct support, with direct results".

Asked whether the country's armed support to Ukraine risks escalating the conflict and possibly dragging Demarcia into it, the President said that "based on what we've seen, the situation has escalated to its maximum - for a country to invade another country's sovereignty is the ultimate act of war". He then declared that "we have a moral obligation to protect people's freedoms" and that "we can't just be for ourselves, we have to stand for everyone".

Other Demarcian politicians joined the President in in supporting the people of Ukraine. Former Speaker of the Parliament Penstubal condemned Russian aggression against Ukraine and urged the President to "stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Ukrainian people in the strongest possible terms in a show of solidarity".

Laura Cooper,

Demarcian Inquirer.