Ukraine’s Zelensky asks citizens to resist and Europe to do more
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remained resolute on Saturday as fighting continued in and around Kyiv following the Russian invasion.
Zelensky turned down an American offer to evacuate, saying the “fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride.”
Zelensky has urged European countries to do more to help as he urged his citizens to halt Russia’s invasion. Some 18,000 guns with ammunition have been distributed to reservists in the Kyiv region alone, according to Ukrainian authorities. Ukrainian officials also issued instructions to citizens on how to make petrol bombs.
U.S. President Biden spoke with Zelensky on Friday and “commended the brave actions of the Ukrainian people who were fighting to defend their country.” The State Department also announced that the U.S. would provide an additional $350 million worth of “lethal defensive assistance” to Ukraine.
“I’m here. We are not putting down any arms. We will protect our country, because our weapons are our truth,” he said in a video posted on Twitter.
Ukraine’s health ministry reported on Saturday that at least 198 Ukrainians, including three children, have been killed since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. More than 100,000 people are estimated to have fled their homes with many fleeing for the border.
Ukraine makes appeal for EU membership
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is the “crucial moment” to decide on the country’s membership in the EU, President Zelensky said on Saturday. “It is a crucial moment to close the long-standing discussion once and for all and decide on Ukraine’s membership in the EU” he said in a tweet.
Zelensky has also called out the silence of the ‘leaders of Europe’ over their silence on Ukraine’s NATO membership. He said: “Today I asked the 27 leaders of Europe whether Ukraine will be in NATO. I asked directly. Everyone is afraid, does not answer.”
