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The Pentagon said Tuesday there was “clear evidence” that Russia had committed war crimes, although Moscow remains heavily involved with the US and other nations in ongoing negotiations for a new nuclear deal with Iran.
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Spokesman John Kirby was urged on Tuesday by Fox & Friends for Russia’s involvement in the talks as Putin’s attack on Ukraine continues. Kirby said the government is “involved in these talks” and wants to reach an agreement to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
“Russia is the aggressor here,” Kirby said. “And I think what we’ve seen here at the Pentagon, we’re certainly seeing clear evidence that the Russian military is committing war crimes. We think it is important that the investigative process continues. We will contribute to that.”
“But of course relations with Russia do not come first, nor should they experience the unprovoked and illegal aggression that Russia has perpetrated against the people of Ukraine,” he continued.
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A member of Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces during training (Photographer: Ethan Swope/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
According to the United Nations, more than 900 civilians have been killed since the war began.
During a speech to the Italian parliament on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that 117 of those victims were Ukrainian children.
Kirby said that while there is “conclusive evidence” that Putin committed war crimes, investigations into the matter are still ongoing.
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“There will be ramifications at the international level,” Kirby warned of the investigation’s conclusions. “What needs to happen now is that this war ends. Mr. Putin always had diplomatic opportunities. He didn’t have to do this.”
“He can now use these diplomatic options, sit down with the Ukrainians in good faith, negotiate an agreement, withdraw his troops there and start respecting Ukrainian sovereignty,” he continued. “It can happen today if Mr. Putin wanted it that way.”
Kirby also expressed condolences for the Russian attack that killed Fox News cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski and journalist Oleksandra “Sasha” Kuvshynova and injured Fox News correspondent Benjamin Hall. Hall was rescued from behind enemy lines and transported to Germany where he received medical attention.
Putin’s war against Ukraine has been going on for almost a month, prompting more than 3.5 million Ukrainians to flee their homes, according to the United Nations.