Ukrainian Ambassador Thanks Lebanon for Condemning Russia

Ukrainian Ambassador to Lebanon Ihor Ostash said Monday, in a press conference in Beirut, that his country appreciates a Lebanese statement that had condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The statement, issued Thursday by the Lebanese Foreign Ministry, condemned Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine and called on Moscow to “immediately halt military operations.”

It sparked controversy in the Lebanese political arena, with many parties openly criticizing it, most notably Hizbullah and its allies, while the Russian Ambassador to Lebanon said the statement will not affect the relations between Lebanon and Russia.

Ostash thanked the Lebanese for their support, saying the whole world is on Ukraine's side.

The U.N. Human Rights Council had voted this morning to hold an urgent debate about Russia's deadly invasion of Ukraine at Kyiv's request, amid widespread international condemnation of Moscow's attack

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian delegation arrived in Belarus for talks with Russian negotiators.

"The key issue of the talks is an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of troops from Ukraine," the Ukrainian presidency said in a statement.