Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told his country’s troops ‘you are all we have’ as he accused other world powers of insufficient reaction to the invasion from Russia.
Zelenskyy called up on the citizens of European countries to protest and demand stronger action from their governments.
He also compared the invasion from Russia to the Second World War.
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The UK, USA, and European Union have announced sanctions against Vladimir Putin’s Russia for his incursion into Ukrainian sovereign territory, but many believe that the sanctions against banks, airlines, and even private citizens, don’t go far enough.
Zelensky said: "The invasion of Russia into Ukraine is not just an invasion, it's the beginning of the war against Europe,
"Against the unity of Europe. Against basic human rights in Europe. Against all rules of coexistence on the continent. Against the fact that European states refuse to divide borders by force."
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He continued: "What are you going to do about it?
"How are you going to defend yourselves if you are so slow helping us in Ukraine?"
He urged Europe to act more forcefully and at greater speed to enact sanctions that will truly hurt Russia, before saying that Europe has ‘enough strength to stop this aggression’.
Amongst the tougher sanctions could be banning Russians from entering the European Union, as well as banning Russia from the SWIFT global payments system, or an oil embargo.
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Zelenskyy himself has said that he will not leave Kyiv, even though he knows he is a target.
He said that the Russian forces ‘want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state’.
In a video message earlier on Friday, the President said: “[The] enemy has marked me down as the number one target.
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“My family is the number two target. They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state.
“I will stay in the capital. My family is also in Ukraine.”
When asked if he was worried for Zelenskyy’s safety, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: “To the best of my knowledge, President Zelenskyy remains in Ukraine at his post, and of course we’re concerned for the safety of all of our friends in Ukraine – government officials and others.”
The Russian invasion continues, with troops and vehicles believed to be approaching the centre of Kyiv.
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Ukraine has called upon anyone who is able to take up arms in resistance, and has banned men between the ages of 18 to 60 years old from leaving the country.
If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information.
Topics: World News, Russia, Politics
Tom Wood