During an interview with the BBC released on Wednesday prior to Russia’s attack on Ukraine, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry expressed concern that a war in Ukraine would have “massive emissions consequences” and divert attention from climate change and stated, “I hope President Putin will help us to stay on track with respect to what we need to do for the climate.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed Russian forces to make a military entry into two Ukrainian regions that have declared their independence from Ukraine via rebel forces.
“In a situation where we are facing a humanitarian catastrophe, seeing tens of thousands of refugees, women, children forced to leave their homes, the only way out is to take this decision,” Russian State Duma speaker said on Tuesday.