Decision on Ukraine was made after strikes against Donbas civilian population intensified - Zakharova

MOSCOW. Feb 24 (Interfax) - The decision to conduct a special military operation in Ukraine was adopted after strikes targeting the civilian population of Donbas intensified and after the West refused to hold talks and imposed sanctions, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said.

"We proposed talks up until the last day. When the sponsors refused to hold talks and began imposing sanctions on Russia and when the number of strikes against the civilian population of Donbas increased, then this decision was adopted," Zakharova said on Facebook.

Russia said that "openly and honestly," she added.