Trending News
Volodymyr Zelenskyy Rules Out Fleeing Kyiv: ‘I’m Here, Won’t Lay Down Weapons’
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a video statement on Saturday dismissing rumors that he had fled Kyiv as Russia continues its bombing campaign. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine would not surrender as it remained on the side of truth in his short message from Kyiv’s government district. Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed to fight for his land, country, and children, warning citizens not to believe fake news. At present, Russian forces are fighting the Ukrainian Army in eastern Ukraine and northern Kyiv.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy issues a statement
“Don’t believe the fakes. I’m here. We will not lay down any weapons. We will defend our state because our weapons are our truth. And our truth is that this is our land, our country, our children – and we will defend it all. That’s all. That’s what I wanted to tell you. Glory to Ukraine!,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his 40-second video. He has already refused US’ offer to evacuate him from Kyiv saying, ‘Ukraine needs ammunition, not a ride’, as per reports.
Не вірте фейкам. pic.twitter.com/wiLqmCuz1p
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 26, 2022
Russia vetoes UNSC resolution
On Friday, the UN Security Council failed to pass a resolution condemning Russia and calling for an ‘immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. Russia vetoed the vote, while India abstained along with China and the UAE. Eleven countries voted in favor, while India, China, and the UAE abstained. 50 nations headed by the United States have promised to raise the issue in the UN General Assembly, where Russia can’t veto it. Since Thursday, 137 civilians and military personnel have been killed.
Russia invades Ukraine
Over 150,000 Russian troops occupied Ukraine’s borders for weeks, threatening an invasion in an effort to pressure Western nations not to allow Ukraine to join NATO. Putin ordered a special military operation in Ukraine’s Donbas region on Thursday, which quickly accelerated into precision airstrikes over Kiev, Kharkiv, and Ivano-Frankivsk and the deployment of tanks towards Lviv from the Belarus-Ukraine border. In addition to the Russian Navy attacking from Mariupol and Odessa, Ukrainian troops have taken over the Chernobyl nuclear plant and are heading toward Kiev. Russian and Ukrainian forces are engaged in heavy air attacks, missiles from the sea, air, and ground in Sumy, Poltava, and Mariupol. Over 100,000 Ukrainians have fled, many of whom are sheltering in bomb shelters. By way of Hungary and Romania, Indian nationals are being evacuated by the Centre.
As a response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Union has announced ‘maximum impact’ sanctions targeting Russia’s financial, energy, and transport sectors, visa policy, and exports. Russia has been sanctioned, international trade with Moscow has been limited, and assets of Putin’s inner circle have been frozen. Although the US has refused to enter Ukraine, it has sent over 12,000 people to Europe. Belarus has also been sanctioned for aiding the Russian army’s attack on Ukraine. Russia has also been sanctioned by Australia, Germany, Taiwan, France, Germany, the EU, and Japan.
