Vladimir Putin is seeking to turn Ukraine into a failed state while silencing dissent at home, a top NATO official said Thursday, suggesting the Russian President was ultimately responsible for the murder of Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov.
"President Putin's aim seems to be to turn Ukraine into a failed state and to suppress and discredit alternative voices in Russia," NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow said.
"We've seen that the victims are not just in eastern Ukraine, with the brutal murder of Boris Nemtsov last Friday," Vershbow told members of parliament from EU countries at a conference in Riga.
Putin said on Wednesday that the killing of Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister who was shot dead last week, was a shameful tragedy. The Kremlin denies any involvement, saying that the killing was a "provocation" to discredit Putin.
"While we don't know who pulled the trigger, we do know that Boris Nemtsov was a powerful voice for democracy and against Russia's involvement in Ukraine ... (and) was among those vilified as 'traitors' and 'fifth columnists' in Russia's official propaganda," Vershbow said.
Since last summer, reports have been circulating inside the country that many serving Russian troops have died in combat in eastern Ukraine, where over 5,600 people have been killed in a pro-Russian insurgency.
Moscow denies sending arms or troops to the region, saying any Russians fighting in Ukraine are volunteers.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
