Despite Russian attacks on civilians, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his call for more weapons ahead of an expected increase in fighting in the country’s east.
At least 52 people were killed when a train station in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk was bombed by pro-Russian militants, and evidence of civilian deaths emerged after Russian troops failed to seize the capital city of Kyiv, where Zelenskyy is holed up.
There is absolutely no interest in negotiating with those responsible for torturing this country.” It’s all comprehensible, really. For me, it’s personal. I’m a father, and I get it,” Zelenskyy said in an interview with AP. “We don’t want to miss out on diplomatic opportunities if we have any.”
As he wore the olive drab uniform that signifies his transition into a wartime leader, he appeared exhausted but energised.
The windows and hallways of the presidential office complex are protected by sandbags and heavily armed soldiers, and he spoke from inside the complex.
However, we must wage a war for our lives.” When there is nothing and no one, you can’t fight for dust. To put an end to this conflict, Zelenskyy argued.
After withdrawing from northern Ukraine, Russian troops are now regrouping for an intensified push to retake eastern Ukraine, including the besieged port city of Mariupol that Ukrainian fighters are attempting to protect.
When asked if the weapons and equipment his country has received from the United States and other Western nations are enough to turn the tide of the war, Zelenskyy showed a palpable resignation and frustration.
In order to emphasise his point, he spoke in English. “Not yet,” he said. That’s not enough, of course.
Nevertheless, he pointed out that Europe has increased its support and that US weapon deliveries have been accelerating.
Zelenskyy’s call for help “closing the skies” to Russian warplanes and missiles prompted Slovakia, a European Union member, to donate its Soviet-era S-300 air defence system to Ukraine this week.
Some of that support has been provided by European leaders who have made visits to the country.
EU sanctions against Russia are expected to be increased, according to Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, who met with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Kyiv on Saturday.
The sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom in response to images from Bucha included sanctions against Putin’s adult daughters.
Even though coal was banned in the EU for the first time, the EU has so far failed to agree on cutting off the much more lucrative oil and natural gas that is fueling Vladimir Putin’s war chest.
To generate electricity, fill gas tanks, and keep industry running smoothly, Europe depends on these supplies.
Boris Johnson, the British prime minister, also paid an unannounced visit to Zelenskyy, where they discussed Britain’s “long-term support,” according to his office.
On Friday, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko with a questionnaire as the first step in the process of applying for EU membership.
In an unusually fast turnaround, completing the questionnaire could take weeks, but securing membership would take much longer, the head of the bloc’s executive arm said.
[embedpost slug=”/france-goes-to-the-polls-to-choose-a-new-president/”]
