“Do the Russians want war?”
Zelenskyj: Putin ignored my call
02/24/2022 01:01 am
In order to defuse the Ukraine crisis, President Zelenskyj turns to the Russian population. In his video message, the 44-year-old reports on his attempt to telephone Kremlin chief Putin. Meanwhile, the parliament in Kiev votes for a nationwide state of emergency.
In view of the fears of an impending Russian invasion in eastern Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had unsuccessfully sought talks with his Russian colleague Vladimir Putin. “Today I took the initiative to have a phone call with the President of the Russian Federation. The result: silence,” Zelenskyy said in an address to the nation published overnight.
“Almost 200,000 soldiers are positioned on the Ukrainian border, thousands of combat vehicles,” he said, referring to the Russian troops. Russia could soon start a major war in Europe. “Do the Russians want war? The answer depends only on you, the citizens of the Russian Federation!” Zelenskyy said in Russian.
He is ready to negotiate with Moscow in any format and anywhere, to discuss security issues and guarantee peace. “Ukraine’s security is linked to the security of its neighbors. That’s why today we have to talk about security across Europe.” His goal is peace in Ukraine and the security of the citizens. “We are ready to talk to everyone and to them.”
In addition, he again rejected Russia’s accusations that Kiev was preparing an attack on the separatist areas in eastern Ukraine. “What should I bomb? Donetsk, where I’ve been dozens of times?” Zelenskyy asked. The real Ukraine is completely different from the country portrayed in the Russian news. The Ukrainians would not give up their country without a fight: “If you attack, you will see our faces, not our backs!”
Parliament declares a state of emergency
Meanwhile, the parliament in Kiev had decided on a nationwide state of emergency, which has been in force since midnight (11:00 p.m. CET). The final text on the measures was not initially available. However, curfews and forced evictions from towns are possible. The National Security Council announced the 30-day state of emergency on Wednesday morning.
Strikes and demonstrations can also be banned. In addition, controls will be introduced primarily at the territorial borders. The regions can determine the concrete measures themselves. Increased police presence and the right to arbitrary checks of people and cars would also be permitted. The only exceptions are the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, in which a special form of emergency has been in force since 2014.
In the first reading, the Ukrainian parliament also approved an amendment to the law that would make it easier for civilians to use weapons in self-defense. The final second reading could follow soon.