Ukraine’s Zelenskyy urges world to send more heavy weapons: ‘Fighting for our survival’ – National
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned on Thursday his war-ravaged nation wanted extra heavy weapons to defend itself from Russia’s invasion that threatened Ukraine’s very survival, and he requested Western nations to impose additional sanctions.
Zelenskyy informed Portugal’s parliament in a video deal with that the Portuguese, who subsequent week have fun 48 years since an virtually cold revolution ended a long time of fascist dictatorship, knew all too nicely what it meant to battle for democracy.
“In 57 days of struggle, greater than 1,000 Ukrainian cities have been occupied by invaders who proceed to destroy our cities,” he mentioned. “Tens of millions of individuals needed to flee … it’s as if the entire of Portugal was compelled to go away.”
He mentioned the Russian military had dedicated atrocities, together with within the port metropolis of Mariupol, which has confronted heavy bombardment.
“We’re preventing not just for our independence, however for our survival, for our folks in order that they don’t get killed, tortured and raped,” Zelenskyy mentioned.
“The Russians have already kidnapped greater than 500,000 folks … who have been deported to essentially the most distant areas of Russia, in distant camps.”
Moscow, which describes its actions in Ukraine as a “particular navy operation,” denies focusing on civilians and rejects what Ukraine says is proof of atrocities, saying Kyiv has staged them to undermine peace talks.
The Ukrainian president requested Portugal to assist a worldwide embargo on Russian oil and to again Kyiv’s need to hitch the European Union.
Shortly after Zelenskyy’s speech, Portuguese parliament president Augusto Santos Silva mentioned: “Your nation’s battle for freedom is Europe’s battle for freedom.”
European Council President Charles Michel mentioned on Wednesday the EU would search for extra methods to answer Russia’s invasion.
— Reporting by Catarina Demony
