Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Maria Zakharova during a briefing in Moscow. Archival photoMOSCOW, Feb 15—RIA Novosti.The appeal of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky to civil servants and oligarchs with a call to return to the country showed that the enemy of the republic is not Russia, but the Ukrainian «elite», Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on her Telegram channel. Zelensky on Monday appealed to all civil servants, who have left the country or are planning to leave, urged them to return within 24 hours, because the people have entrusted them to «govern the country and protect it.» The Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine stated that there are 23 deputies of the Verkhovna Rada outside the country.
"After the President of Ukraine asked civil servants, oligarchs and deputies who left the country due to fear of war and unwillingness to defend their homeland to return, it became clear that the enemy of this state is not Russia. The enemy of Ukraine is its "elite",' Zakharova wrote.
According to her, after Zelensky said that «the announcement of the date of the «invasion» is intimidation, it became clear that the friend of this state is not the United States.» “After the President of Ukraine stated that he had absolutely all the intelligence about the aggressor, the Ukrainian army is stronger than ever, and on the date of the “attack” announced by the Americans, large-scale “image events” will take place in Ukraine, everything became clear,” she added. Zakharova.
Zelensky announced February 16 as the Day of Unity of Ukraine On Monday, Zelensky signed a decree declaring February 16 as the day of unity. The decree provides that on this day the flag of Ukraine will be raised at facilities in all settlements, and the anthem will be played at 10.00 local time. In addition, appropriate image events will be held in foreign diplomatic institutions of Ukraine in the host states. The American media previously reported that President Joe Biden told allies that a «Russian invasion» of Ukraine could begin on February 16. Kiev and Western states have recently express concern over the alleged increase in «aggressive actions» by Russia near the borders of Ukraine. Moscow has repeatedly denied such accusations, saying that it does not threaten anyone and is not going to attack anyone, and statements about «Russian aggression» are used as an excuse to deploy more NATO military equipment near Russian borders. The Russian Foreign Ministry previously noted that statements The West about «Russian aggression» and the possibility of helping Kiev defend itself against it is both ridiculous and dangerous. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is moving troops within its territory and at its own discretion. According to him, this does not threaten anyone and should not bother anyone.