Russia denied the existence of Ukrainians — Kyslytsia

This was stated by First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsia during a telethon.

As Kyslytsia said, during the talks between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations, a shocking statement was made by the Russian side. The head of the Russian delegation allegedly called the war an "internal conflict," saying that it was, in essence, "when Russians kill Russians with certain nuances."

At some point, the head of the Russian delegation says... In front of him sits a Ukrainian plenipotentiary delegation representing the state, consisting of military personnel. And the head of the Russian delegation says: "A war is essentially when Russians kill Russians. With certain nuances." End of quote.

Serhiy Kyslytsia

First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

Such words, as Kyslytsia noted, are perceived as a denial of the existence of Ukraine as an independent nation. Representatives of the Russian delegation effectively stated that Ukrainians do not exist separately, but only "Russians."

In essence, that side denies you your existence as a nation. They tell you to your face that you are not Ukrainian, you are Russian, and we are simply killing you, Russians are killing Russians and "it hurts us that we Russians are killing Russians."