Volodin criticizes those who disagree with Russian military operation, calls on compatriots to unite

MOSCOW. Feb 28 (Interfax) - Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin has criticized those who disagree with the Russian military operation, saying that Russians should unite.

"But what did we see in these four days? On one hand, support from an overwhelming majority, who understand what is happening and are doing all they can to ensure the success of the operation. On the other hand, there are those who start reasoning about peace," Volodin said on his Telegram channel on Sunday evening.

The State Duma speaker said those who criticize the military operation should pay attention to the attacks on Donetsk and Luhansk the Ukrainian authorities have carried out since 2014.

"The question arises: where were you in the past eight years, when the Kyiv authorities killed civilians, women, children, shot them with weapons, when the rights and freedoms of our citizens and compatriots were encroached upon?" Volodin said.

He criticized the children of wealthy Russians who have left Russia, who, according to him, "squander their parents' money in restaurants, clubs and at resorts."

Volodin also said the position of those culture figures who oppose the operation and who, according to the speaker, "have ignored the events happening in the DPR and the LPR for many years", is unacceptable. "It can't be called anything but betrayal of their people and those who are involved in the peacekeeping operation. If you are so principled, start with refusing state grants, posts in public sector establishments," Volodin said.

"We are all for peace, for peaceful settlement," but "not at the expense of the interests of the state and its citizens," he said.

"Now is a difficult period in the history of our state, but we can overcome everything by uniting," the State Duma speaker said.