Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky says he welcomes anyone willing to defend Ukraine.
The Ukrainian president said that his forces are still in control of Kyiv, as he appealed to 'friends' of Ukraine to help defend the country.
In an address today, February 26, he said, 'Everyone who can defend Ukraine abroad please do it directly in a united way.'
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The president then asked for every friend of the country that wants to fight to 'please come over' and that Ukraine will supply weapons.
In the video address, Zelensky said Ukraine is in control of 'key points around the city', as per Sky News.
'We are successfully holding back the enemy's attack. We know that we are defending our land and the future of our children', he added.
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The president said occupiers of the city attempted to 'set up their puppets' in the capital but that they 'didn't succeed'.
Zelensky also condemned misinformation that was spreading about the conflict, saying, 'Please stop those who are lying, or trying to lie to you, or lying to us. We need to stop this war. We can live in peace together, globally as humans'.
Zelensky also asked those who fled from Ukraine to come back and help their country.
'Everyone who can defend Ukraine abroad please do it. Every friend of Ukraine who wants to join Ukraine in defending the country please come over we will provide you with weapons,' he said
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Ukraine deserves to be a member of the EU and that this would be a 'signal of your support to Ukraine', the president said.
'We discussed this today with the European leaders. All the equipment and defence military help is coming to Ukraine', he added, per The Guardian.
These sentiments echoed a series of tweets the president gave earlier today.
In the tweets Zelensky again noted that Ukraine has 'earned the right' to European Union membership and that they must be allowed to join in this 'crucial moment'.
While Ukraine is not currently a member of the EU, the union is imposing economic sanctions on Russia in support of Ukraine.
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One such sanction that was discussed but is not yet in place was banning Russia from the SWIFT payment network.
SWIFT is essential to the smooth running of monetary transactions across the world.
While the potential sanction was considered, it didn't get the 'necessary unanimity' needed from EU members, but remains a 'future consideration'.
If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information
Topics: Ukraine, Russia, World News, Volodymyr Zelensky, Vladimir Putin
