(AFP) – President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday, as Ukraine celebrates Independence Day and the six-month anniversary of the start of the war, Ukraine will resist Russian aggression “to the end” “without any concessions or concessions”. war
“We don’t care what kind of army you have, only our land matters,” Zelensky said in a cheeky morning video message. “We will fight to the end for this”
Referring to Russia, which launched a large-scale offensive in the early morning of February 24, he said Ukraine would not “try to compromise with terrorists”.
“For us, Ukraine is the whole of Ukraine,” he said. “All 25 regions, with no compromises or concessions.”
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the United States is poised to announce new $3 billion in military aid to Kiev, the day it severed ties with the Soviet Union in 1991.
The new tranche of US funding will help Kiev get more weapons, ammunition and other supplies for its army, which, without making any major moves within weeks, is engaged in a debilitating war of attrition with Russian forces in the east and south.
The planned announcement by the White House comes after Washington warned that Moscow may plan to increase attacks on civilian targets to coincide with the Independence Day celebrations.
In Kiev, where air raid sirens sounded this morning, rallies were banned, and Zelensky urged citizens to be vigilant against “Russian terror.”
The general said that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has passed half a year this week, has already killed about 9,000 Ukrainian soldiers and shows no signs of easing in Monday’s fighting. https://t.co/2jU1YUgNui
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) 23 August 2022
– Global support –
In the seventh month of the war and with no end in sight, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised unlimited aid to Ukraine.
“People are fighting steel, bravely defending their homes and families, and protecting their right to self-determination in their own country,” he said in a video message Wednesday morning.
“No matter how long, the UK will support Ukraine and provide all kinds of military, economic and humanitarian support.”
Photo: UK Shows Solidarity with Ukraine with Downing Street Flower Show https://t.co/d45PJW8PEK
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) August 24, 2022
On Tuesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned Russia against attempts to annex Ukrainian territory, as happened on the Crimean peninsula in 2014.
Polish President Andrzej Duda also advised against “appeasement”, saying “there is no return to business as usual in relations with Russia”.
French President Emmanuel Macron promised that the European Union’s support for Ukraine will continue “for a long time”.
Offering its territory as a springboard for a Russian invasion, Belarus’ authoritarian leader congratulated Ukraine on Independence Day in a clear message Wednesday.
“I believe that today’s contradictions cannot destroy the basis of centuries-old sincere good relations between the peoples of the two countries,” Alexander Lukashenko said in a statement. Said.
– Silent Anniversary –
In the first days and weeks of the Russian occupation, Kyiv was surrounded by Russian troops, who reached the suburbs of the capital.
Moscow’s advance quickly dwindled, and in late March his forces withdrew to regroup for an offensive in eastern and southern Ukraine.
But in the capital, Ukrainians reacted gloomily to the anniversary after six months of death and destruction.
“For six months, the peace of life in every family has been disturbed,” 80-year-old retired Nina Mihaylovna said on Independence Square in central Kiev on Tuesday.
“How much destruction, how many dead, how do we feel about it?” He asked.
Kyiv city government said it will close community service centers on Wednesday and Thursday, while shopping malls will close for the anniversary due to safety concerns.
Russia accuses Ukrainian services of a car bomb that killed the daughter of a nationalist philosopher https://t.co/mqFBoiBAee
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) 22 August 2022
– Nuclear power plant under threat –
Meanwhile, with Moscow accusing Kiev, discussions continued over how to protect the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, which was occupied by Russian troops and was under the threat of bombardment.
At the UN Security Council meeting in Zaporozhye on Tuesday, the parties brought charges against Ukraine and its allies, demanding that Russia withdraw its troops from Europe’s largest nuclear facility, and agreed to the creation of a demilitarized zone.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke with his French counterpart, Catherine Colonna, on Tuesday about the anticipated visit of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) UN nuclear watchdog inspectors to the station amid fears of a high risk of radiation accidents.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi deplored the weekend’s attacks in the region, saying more damage had been done on Tuesday.
“I will continue to consult very actively and intensively with all parties so that this important task of the IAEA can be carried out without further delay.”
This will “help stabilize the nuclear security situation in the region and reduce the risk of a serious nuclear accident in Europe.”
War in Ukraine: new bombing reports near Europe’s largest nuclear power plant https://t.co/XkDzvW4RqW
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) 22 August 2022
Source: Breitbart
