Moscow Issues Absentee Arrest Warrant for Former Ukrainian Ambassador: Here's Why

The Basman Court in Moscow has issued an absentee arrest warrant for Pyotr Vrublevsky, the former Ukrainian ambassador to Kazakhstan, in connection with a criminal case involving incitement of hatred or enmity. The warrant stems from his statements asserting that Kyiv is attempting to kill as many Russians as possible.

TASS agency reported that a federal and international search has been declared for the Ukrainian diplomat.

It is noteworthy that the cause for Vrublevsky's prosecution dates back to an interview he gave in 2022 to local blogger Dias Kuzayrov. During the interview, while discussing the large-scale war in his country, the ambassador remarked: "We are trying to kill as many of them as possible. The more Russians we kill now, the fewer our children will have to kill later."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan stated that they had a discussion with Vrublevsky, after which he apologized. The Russian side demanded the diplomat's expulsion from Kazakhstan, to which Astana responded that he would be going on vacation.

Later, Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry reported that Vrublevsky would leave his position, but emphasized that "no one has forbidden or will forbid him from leaving the country."

It is important to mention that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Vrublevsky in October 2022 when Moscow began its investigation.