The exiled government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria expressed gratitude to Zelensky for mentioning Chechens in his interview with Friedman.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the Republic of Ichkeria in Exile, Aset Sabb, expressed gratitude to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for mentioning in his interview with American podcaster Lex Friedman that Putin started a bloody war against Chechnya, resulting in the deaths of a million Chechens.

“Thank you for reminding the world that Chechens have been victims of Russian terror. Indeed, Chechens are different from Russians. We speak a different language, and we have a distinct culture and identity,” – noted the minister in a Twitter post (X).

“The Government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria reaffirms its full support for Ukraine and strongly condemns Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine,” – she emphasized.

Recall that in response to Friedman's suggestion that Putin should be viewed as a serious person who loves his people and his country, Zelensky stated:

“What is his country, anyway? He suddenly considered Ukraine to be his country. Tomorrow he might say – America. And what about the Chechens? Do you feel no pity for them? Are they similar to Russians, do they speak Russian? They certainly learn it in schools, just like everywhere else where Russification occurs. But Chechens are a different people, with a different faith, different individuals, and a different language. A million [Chechens] have been exterminated. And how did he (Putin) kill them? With love? Damn, in an embrace. He embraced them so tightly that it suffocated them, as they say. Such love that it feels like you want to kill – that’s his love,” – Zelensky remarked sarcastically.

Background. In this interview, the president explained why he believes that Ukraine's membership in NATO also guarantees security for Russia. According to him, Russians should fear those Ukrainians who will seek revenge in the future. “A father who has lost his children will seek justice,” – Zelensky stressed.