On the night of July 31, Russian aggressors launched more than 300 drones and eight cruise missiles at Ukraine. The main target of the attack was Kyiv. Five missiles hit civilian infrastructure in Kyiv, including one that struck a residential building. As a result, several dozen civilians were killed. Among them were at least five children, the youngest of whom was only two years old. A total of about 200 people were injured, including 21 children. This is more than in any of the previous Russian night strikes on the Ukrainian capital. The youngest of the wounded is a five-month-old girl.

The Congress of People’s Deputies of the Russian Republic expresses its outrage at yet another crime committed by the Russian military. The deputies are convinced that the time for “shuttle diplomacy” and “appeasement policies” is finally over. We believe that today, in order to curb the aggressor, it is not “expressions of serious concern” and “deep regret” that are needed, but concrete actions.

In particular, we propose that the governments of countries that adhere to the principles of international law and value their freedom and security:

1. Consider suspending diplomatic relations with Putin’s Russian Federation or, as a last resort, downgrading these relations to the status of consulates and special representatives.

2. Initiate the termination or significant reduction of all trade ties with the aggressor country, in particular, the unconditional cessation of purchases of hydrocarbons from Russia. Exceptions may be made only for humanitarian cargo, medical supplies, and essential goods.

3. Raise at the intergovernmental level, primarily among NATO member states, the issue of completely closing the airspace over the entire territory of Ukraine and, possibly, over part of the territories of neighboring allied countries, as possible targets of future Russian aggression.

4. Urgently provide Ukraine with the most modern long-range offensive systems, while completely lifting restrictions on strikes against military-industrial complex facilities and centers of criminal decision-making throughout the Russian Federation.

Only by inflicting unacceptable damage on the aggressor can further escalation of aggression and the death of innocent civilians be stopped, and war criminals be forced to surrender completely and unconditionally.

Deputies of the Congress of People’s Deputies of the Russian Republic