SIMFEROPOL, March 13. /TASS/. More than 140 citizens of different countries, including the United States, India, Vietnam, Bulgaria, were taken by bus to the Crimean city of Armyansk from the Kherson region of Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.
"Today, 141 citizens of foreign states were taken from the Kherson region of Ukraine to the city of Armyansk of the Republic of Crimea from the Kherson region of Ukraine to the city of Armyansk of the Republic of Crimea. Russian military personnel on the central square of the city of Kherson ensured the safe loading of citizens of Turkey, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Vietnam, Greece, India, the USA and the Russian Federation, who may wish to leave the areas special military operation, in buses, and also ensured their safety when moving to the territory of the Russian Federation," the ministry said.
Earlier the armored train of the South military District carried 247 foreign citizens, including 38 children, to Crimea.
"According to the decision of the Russian leadership, on the appeal of foreign countries, the Russian armed forces are carrying out a set of measures to evacuate foreign citizens from areas of a special military operation on the territory of Ukraine," the Defense Ministry stressed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address on February 24 that in response to a request by the heads of the Donbass republics he had made a decision to carry out a special military operation in order to protect people of the Donbass republics. Putin noted that the suspension of the special operation is possible only if "Kiev ceases hostilities and fulfills the well-known demands of Russia."
As Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated, these conditions include the demilitarization of Ukraine, its denazification and a neutral status. According to him, the list of requirements also includes the recognition of Crimea as a Russian territory. Also the independence of the People republics of Donetsk and Lugansk should be recognized "within the boundaries of the respective regions.".