Rejecting rumors that he had left the country, the Ukrainian president uploaded a new video from his office in Kyiv on the 12th day of the war and accused Russian forces of obstructing the evacuation of civilians.
Ο Volodymyr Zelensky continues to fight against Vladimir Putin and strongly opposes the Russian president's invasion of Ukraine. Despite the siege of the Russian troops for the 12th day, the Ukrainian president remains in Kyiv and tries in every way to inspire his compatriots, while refuting the rumors that he has left his country.
"We have agreed on humanitarian corridors. Did they work? "The Russian tanks, the Grands (Russian rocket launchers), the mines were in operation," Zelensky said in a recorded message uploaded to the Ukrainian presidency's Telegram account.
He also accused Russian forces of "mining the road agreed to be used to transport food and medicine" to besieged Mariupol in southern Ukraine, and of "destroying buses" to evacuate civilians from war zones.
He accused Russia of "cynicism", saying that it had opened "a very small corridor to the occupied territories for a few dozen people", for "propaganda" purposes, to be shown by "the cameras".
He noted, however, that negotiations with Moscow would continue. "We are realistic. That is what we will talk about. "We will continue to negotiate until we find a way to tell our people: this is how we came to peace."
god zelensky is good at this. watch this video where he shows that he's still in kyiv, transitioning seamlessly from an intimate smart phone selfie video at the window to the official feed from his desk. pic.twitter.com/FfhbTXZlmI
- Kevin Rothrock (@KevinRothrock) March 8, 2022
In his new message, Zelensky states, among other things:
"Today is the 12th night of our race. Everyone is where they need to be. I'm in Kyiv. My team is with me. The military is in place. Our heroes! Doctors, rescuers, transporters, diplomats, journalists…
All. We are all at war. We all contribute to our victory, which will surely be achieved. With the power of weapons and our army. With the power of words and our diplomacy. With the power of spirit, which the first, the second and each of us has.
Take a look at our country today. People everywhere defended themselves, even though they had no weapons.
They have courage. Dignity. Every Ukrainian and Ukrainian who protested against the invaders yesterday, today and will demonstrate tomorrow are heroes.
We do not back down.
We are not afraid of tanks and machine guns. When the main thing is with us, the truth. As it is now.
We know that the hatred that the enemy has brought to our cities by bombing will not remain there. Hatred is not about us. We will rebuild everything.
The Ukrainian army holds positions. Well done! Causes extremely painful losses to the enemy.
The third round of negotiations took place in Belarus today. I would like to say - the third and last. But we are realistic. So we will talk. We will persevere in the negotiations until we find a way to say to our people: that is how we will come to peace.
Just for peace.
Moscow announced yesterday morning a ceasefire in various locations and the opening of corridors to allow civilians to leave Ukrainian cities under siege, as the humanitarian crisis worsens with each passing day and food is now in short supply.
But Kyiv refused to evacuate civilians to Russia, where four of Moscow's six corridors were headed, or to Belarus. After new negotiations, Russia announced that today a new ceasefire will take effect locally from 09:00 to leave the civilians. The routes to be followed remain to be approved by the Ukrainian side.
Now I will say one thing: I live here.
I live in Kyiv.
On Banova Street.
I'm not hiding.
And I'm not afraid of anyone.
"As long as it takes to win this war!", He concludes.
Source: protothema.gr