Top Russian Diplomat Quits Over War In Ukraine

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

MOSCOW (Worthy News) – A top Russian diplomat resigned Monday to protest against Moscow’s “aggressive war” in Ukraine despite concerns about his safety.

Boris Bondarev, 41, said he had “never been so ashamed of my country” and the “aggressive war” waged by President Vladimir Putin’s forces.

The senior diplomat, who served in Russia’s permanent mission to the United Nations, also expressed anger about “unprofessionalism” in the country’s diplomatic corps.

“For twenty years of my diplomatic career, I have seen different turns of our foreign policy, but never have I been so ashamed of my country as on February 24,” Bondarev added.

“The aggressive war unleashed by Putin … is not only a crime against the Ukrainian people, but also, perhaps, the most serious crime against the people of Russia,” he said.

Bondarev noted that “with a bold letter Z” on armored vehicles, Russian forces were crossing out all hopes and prospects for a prosperous free society in our country.”

He spoke as President Putin appeared increasingly isolated with Western sanctions impacting the economy and turmoil among diplomats

Bondarev explained that he is concerned about his safety, adding that what Putin’s government is doing was “intolerable.”

He stressed he “disagreed” and “disapproved” with the current policy by Moscow and “as a Russian diplomat, [I] can no longer be associated with this.”

Bondarev recalled that he “went to the mission like any other Monday morning, and I forwarded my resignation letter, and I walked out.”

Russia didn’t immediately react to the allegations. However, Moscow has denied Russian troops are waging war in Ukraine, calling the conflict “a special operation.”

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