++ Ukraine conflict: New video message from Zelenskyj – “The fighting continues”

Russia is about to conquer Kiev. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, reports with video messages from the capital.

+++ 1:05 p.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has spoken again. In a new video message, he reported on the ongoing fighting in Kiev and other parts of the country. “The fighting continues in many cities and areas of our country,” said Zelenskyj in the five-minute speech on Saturday. Russian troops want to take downtown Kiev and “install their puppets here,” he warned. So far, however, the capital and other strategically important cities are under the control of the Ukrainian army. In addition, Zelenskyj accused Russia of attacking Ukrainian residential areas. Moscow denies that.

His country’s admission to the European Union was also discussed in the video message. Accordingly, the Ukrainian head of state spoke out in favor of his country’s EU membership – currently a hopeless undertaking. He also called on Germany and Hungary to exclude Russia from the international banking communications network Swift* to advance. The EU and US have already imposed sweeping economic sanctions in response to Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Ukraine conflict: Volodymyr Zelenskyj makes demands on the EU from Kiev

+++ 9.40 a.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for his country’s admission to the European Union. Until now, Ukraine’s EU membership has been ruled out. According to Selenskyj, however, he has now discussed “further effective aid” and the “heroic fight of the Ukrainians for their free future” with EU Council President Charles Michel.

Should Ukraine be admitted to the EU, an agreement with Russia will hardly be possible – according to experts. Selenskyj, however, sticks to his claim. “It is a crucial moment to end the long-standing discussion once and for all and to decide on Ukraine’s membership of the EU,” Zelenskyy said on Twitter.

Ukraine conflict: Volodymyr Zelenskyj calls for resistance in Kiev

+++ 7:58 a.m.: A few minutes ago Volodymyr Zelenskyj spoke up again. In a new video, the President of Ukraine addressed his country’s population. Meanwhile, the Russian army continues the attack on Kiev.

In video showing Zelenskyi on the streets of Ukraine’s capital, the President once again encourages his compatriots to resist the invasion of Russia. “Our weapon is the truth,” Zelenskyi said.

+++ Update, 7:30 a.m.: Both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, which reports to him, have called on the country’s population to resist the advancing Russian army. “Do you have a drone? Give them to an experienced army pilot!” read a post on the Defense Department’s Facebook page.

Selenskyj himself is staying with his family in hard-fought Kiev. The Ukrainian President said he had no intention of leaving the city. In a video, he said he wanted to refute circulating fake news that he had left the country. “I’m here.” The country must be defended. “Glory to Ukraine!”

Ukraine conflict – Volodymyr Zelenskyj speaks up from Kiev

First report: KIEV – In the middle of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyj speaks out. The Ukrainian President is said to have said goodbye to his colleagues from the European Union in a video chat. “This could be the last time you see me alive,” Zelenskyi reportedly said. This is reported by the US news portal Axios and the Financial Times.

The 44-year-old head of state of Ukraine is said to be staying in Kiev. The capital is surrounded by Russian troops. Street fights are already being reported from several parts of the metropolis. Zelenskyj is said to be in a secret bunker somewhere in the center of the city. In the talks with the EU leaders, the President said he wanted to stay in Kiev under all circumstances. He made serious allegations against Russia. “They also want to destroy Ukraine politically by overthrowing our head of state,” said Zelenskyy. “I am target number one.”

Ukraine conflict: Volodymyr Zelenskyj accuses the West of inaction

Hours later, Volodymyr Zelenskyy published another video. This was apparently recorded on the streets of Kiev at night. The President of Ukraine appears in this video with four other members of his cabinet. “We are here. We are in Kiev. We are defending Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said in the short video with a determined expression on his face.

In the days before, Volodymyr Selenskyj had made serious allegations against the EU and NATO*. “We defend our country alone,” said the President of Ukraine at the beginning of the invasion from Russia. But Selenskyj was particularly critical of the USA*. “The most powerful country in the world is watching from a safe distance,” says Zelenskyj. At the same time, he appealed to all “Europeans with combat experience.” They should “ignore the inaction of their governments” and travel to Ukraine to take part in the fight against Russia there. (Daniel Dillman) *fr.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA

List of rubrics: © Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/dpa