The world football governing, FIFA body has condemned in strong terms the invasion of Ukraine by neighbor Russia.
This was disclosed on Thursday at a FIFA council virtual conference chaired by its President, Gianni Infantino.
Noting that violence is never a solution to both internal and external problems, it called for all parties to explore dialogue in bringing back a lasting peace to the country.
“FIFA condemns the use of force by Russia in Ukraine and any type of violence to resolve conflicts. Violence is never a solution and FIFA calls on all parties to restore peace through constructive dialogue” a statement on its official website said.
“FIFA also continues to express its solidarity to the people affected by this conflict. Regarding football matters in both Ukraine and Russia, FIFA will continue to monitor the situation and updates in relation to the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™️ qualifiers will be communicated in due course”.
Recall that President Vladimir Putin of Russia had earlier on Thursday approved a “Special military operation” against Ukraine.
Putin had justified the attack as “a special military operation” to protect people, including Russian citizens who had been subjected to “genocide” in Ukraine’
“And for this, we will strive for the demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine,” Putin said. “Russia cannot feel safe, develop, and exist with a constant threat emanating from the territory of modern Ukraine.”
As at the time of filing this report, casualty figures as reported by leadership newspaper are beginning to mount on the first day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Thursday.
Ukraine’s Health Minister, Oleh Lyashko, has said 57 people have been killed and 169 wounded in the attacks.
The invasion which has long been predicted by many has seen new sanctions and threat of deterrence by the United States and its allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) on Russia.
Russia, apart from other circumstances that has fueled the war had rejected the plan of Ukraine to Join NATO- a military alliance which it perceived as a ‘threat’ due to its Western inclinations.
