Ukraine War: Volodymyr Zelenskyy Warns West of Russian Threat to Rest of the World

Feb 18, 2024 | Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged allies to plug an "artificial" shortage of weapons which is giving Russian forces the upper hand. The Ukrainian president told representatives from the West at a security conference in Munich that Russia won't stop at Ukraine.

Zelenskiy Slams Trump’s Rhetoric on Stopping the War as ‘Very Dangerous’

GUARDIAN EUROPE: Ukrainian leader invited Trump to Ukraine but says if he returns to White House he could make unilateral concessions to Russia

The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, fears that if Donald Trump returns to the White House next year he could make unilateral concessions to Russia that override Ukraine’s interests and branded the former US president’s claims he could stop the war in 24 hours as “very dangerous”.

In an interview with the UK’s Channel 4 News, Zelenskiy said he was “stressed” that the former president “is going to make decisions on his own, without … I’m not even talking about Russia, but without both sides, without us.”

“If he says this publicly, that’s a little scary. I’ve seen a lot, a lot of victims, but that’s really making me a bit stressed,” he said. » | Edward Helmore and agencies | Saturday, January 20, 2024

Putin Makes Emboldened Speech - as EU Opens Ukraine Accession Talks | Russia-Ukraine War

Dec 14, 2023 | EU leaders have agreed to open membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova. Hungary's prime minister - Putin ally Viktor Orban - wasn't in the room when the EU voted and said he did not wish to participate in the "bad decision".

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy in Last-ditch US Tour to Plead for $61bn Aid – BBC News

Dec 12, 2023 | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Washington DC to try and save a $61bn (£48.5bn) US defence package for Kyiv. Republican members of Congress have stalled the aid package and have argued that more should be done to strengthen the US-Mexico border.

Zelenskyy will meet behind closed doors with various senators as well as the new House Speaker, Mike Johnson, to plead his case. The Ukrainian president will also meet with President Joe Biden, who has urged US lawmakers to approve the funds as soon as possible.


This has Trump written all over it! Those Republicans must be off their rockers! Zelenskyy and the Ukrainians are doing the West’s dirty work – he and his people are fighting for the maintenance of the freedom of the West. If the US in particular and the West in general let Zelenskyy and his people down, the war will in all probability be won by Putin, with all the ramifications that will follow. This is insanity! – © Mark Alexander

IMF Approves $900m Loan Payment for Ukraine – BBC News

Dec 12, 2023 | Ukraine's President Zelensky is due to meet with US President Joe Biden on Tuesday as part of a critical visit to help secure US military aid. Zelensky has called on Congress to overcome its delays which he said were a "dream come true" for Russian President Vladimir Putin. He's also been meeting with the head of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, after the IMF approved a $900m payment for Ukraine as part of its more than $15bn loan programme. The IMF also upgraded its growth forecasts for Ukraine predicting the economy would grow by 4.5% this year.

Ukraine Fears for Financial Support from the EU and the USA | DW News

Dec 12, 2023 | Ukraine's fears are growing that foreign aid and arms supplies will soon be a thing of the past. This week, high-level EU talks in Brussels could decide the fate of the promised €50 billion in aid to Kyiv and additional money for new arms deliveries.On Monday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a stopover in Washington. There, the opposition US Republicans are blocking an aid package for Kiev worth 61 billion dollars.In the face of these difficult negotiations, an end to the war looks increasingly distant. What is the psychological impact of this protracted conflict on Ukraine?

The Observer View on the War in Ukraine: The West Can’t Afford to Forget about It

THE OBSERVER – EDITORIAL: Volodymyr Zelenskiy is in dire need of support as his counteroffensive against Russia stalls and the risk of stalemate looms

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visits an artillery training centre aat an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Photograph: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Reuters
Recent events in the Middle East have drawn international political and media attention away from the war in Ukraine at what looks like a critical juncture. This is understandable but nonetheless alarming. The principal beneficiary of this loss of focus is Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, who ordered an illegal, unprovoked full-scale invasion in February last year that has caused more than 27,000 civilian casualties and appalling destruction. The UN believes that the true casualty figure is “considerably higher”. Putin has been accused of war crimes by the international criminal court.

Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and his western backers were optimistic earlier this year that Russian ground forces, badly led and often poorly equipped, could be ejected from occupied territory in eastern and southern Ukraine. But a much anticipated counteroffensive, using tanks, missiles and other modern weapons supplied by Nato states, was delayed. When it finally began five months ago, progress was disappointing, obstructed by minefields and entrenched Russian defences. There was no breakthrough. » | Observer editorial | Saturday, November 4, 2023

AUF DEUTSCH:

Von der Leyen: „Über 90 Prozent des Wegs“ zu EU-Beitrittsverhandlungen geschafft: „Dies ist das Ergebnis harter Arbeit.“ In Kiew lobt die EU-Kommissionspräsidentin Reformen in der Ukraine. Der Kampf gegen Korruption sei auch im eigenen Interesse seines Landes, betont Präsident Selenskyj. »

Zelensky Says Gaza War Furthers Russian Aims

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The Ukrainian president said Moscow was aiming to sow division in the region and the attack on Israel could distract allies from his country’s conflict.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, left, and President Klaus Iohannis of Romania during an honor guard welcoming ceremony on Tuesday in Bucharest. | Daniel Mihailescu/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has accused Russia of wanting to precipitate conflict in the Middle East to undermine international support for Ukraine, in comments that reflect concern that the war between Israel and the militant group Hamas could distract attention from Kyiv’s fight.

In remarks released on social media on Monday night, Mr. Zelensky, who has repeatedly expressed support for Israel, also appeared to seek to rally support for his country at a time when Ukraine is facing stiff Russian resistance on the battlefield amid signs of wavering support among a few of its allies. » | Matthew Mpoke Bigg, Reporting from Kyiv | Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Ukraine War: Zelenskyy Speaks in Canada after Strike on Crimea Navy Base - BBC News

Sep 22, 2023 | Ukraine's President Zelenskyy has addressed the Canadian parliament, praising the country's commitment to "defending freedom."

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau welcomed Zelenskyy and pledged C$650m in aid for Ukraine. The three-year "predictable, steady support for Ukraine" will include some 50 armoured vehicles as well as training for F-16 pilots, he says. This comes after Ukraine mounted a missile strike on the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea navy in Crimea.

Zelenskyy Implores UN to Unite against Russia's Invasion | DW News

Sep 20, 2023 | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has implored world leaders gathered at the UN General Assembly to stand united against Russia's invasion of his country. He said Moscow must be pushed back so the world can turn to solving pressing global challenges. He also urged world leaders to attend a peace summit, to help stop the war and future ones.

In addition, Ukraine's security service has rejected a report by the New York Times suggesting a deadly explosion in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostyantynivka earlier in September was caused by a Ukrainian missile. The newspaper says that evidence collected by its journalists strongly suggested the blast was the result of an errant Ukrainian air defense missile. The reporters came to the conclusion after studying missile fragments, satellite images, witness accounts and social media posts. Ukraine blames Russia for the attack which killed at least 16 people.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy: The 2023 60 Minutes Interview

Sep 18, 2023 | Zelenskyy warns Putin could cause World War III if not stopped in Ukraine, says Putin counting on U.S. instability during 2024 election, and says drone strikes will continue if Russia keeps attacking infrastructure.

Verwandt.

Volodymyr Zelensky limoge tous les commissaires chargés du recrutement pour la guerre en Ukraine

LE MONDE : Plus de cent enquêtes ont été déclenchées à la suite d’une inspection des bureaux d’enrôlement par des organes anticorruption. Des vétérans prendront la place des commissaires limogés, qui sont incités à « aller au front » pour « prouver leur dignité ».

Le président ukrainien, Volodymyr Zelensky, a annoncé, vendredi 11 août, le limogeage de tous les responsables régionaux chargés du recrutement militaire, pour y éliminer un système de corruption permettant notamment à des conscrits d’échapper à l’armée.

« Enrichissement illégal, légalisation de fonds obtenus illégalement, profits illicites, transport illégal de l’autre côté de la frontière de conscrits. Notre solution : nous limogeons tous les commissaires militaires », a annoncé sur Telegram M. Zelensky, après une enquête anticorruption. Le président a indiqué que 112 enquêtes criminelles avaient été déclenchées après une inspection menée notamment par les organes anticorruption ukrainiens, les services de sécurité (SBU) et le parquet. » | Le Monde avec AFP | vendredi 11 août 2023

Ukraine: Woman Detained in Plot to Assassinate Zelensky

Aug 7, 2023 | The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) says it has detained a Russian informant "who was preparing a Russian airstrike in the Mykolaiv region during the visit of the President of Ukraine." CNN's Nick Paton Walsh reports.

Ukraine "Peace Plan" Talks Kick Off in Saudi Arabia | DW News

Aug 5, 2023 | Officials from about 30 countries have been invited to participate in peace talks for Ukraine in the Saudi port city of Jeddah on August 5 and 6. They include three-fifths of the BRICS countries — Brazil, India and South Africa — as well as other nations in the Global South, such as Indonesia, Mexico, Zambia and Egypt. The governments of the United Kingdom and Poland, as well as representatives of the European Union have also confirmed their attendance. Russia has not been invited.

Talks begin in Saudi Arabia on how to end Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv seeks support of publicly neutral countries as China sends envoy and Moscow says it will ‘keep an eye’ on meeting »

Repeated Drone Attacks on Moscow: Is Ukraine Changing Its Strategy? | DW News

Aug 1, 2023 | Advisors to Ukraine's president are warning of a potential escalation in conflict with Russia. This comes after a series of drone strikes on Moscow and retaliatory attacks on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. The most recent attack on Moscow targeted a building housing various government ministries, which was hit by a drone for the second time in three days. Although the building's facade sustained damage, no casualties were reported. Russia claims that the attack was an attempted terrorist act by Ukraine, but Ukraine has not taken responsibility for the incident.

Zelenskyy Says ‘War’ Coming to Russia after Moscow Drone Attack

Jul 31, 2023 | Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned war is coming to Russia after three drones were downed over Moscow. The Russian Defence Ministry has blamed Kyiv for the attack. Drones have reached the heart of the Russian capital in recent months, though they have not caused major damage. A Ukrainian drone hit a police station overnight in Russia’s western Bryansk region but there were no victims, the regional governor has said.

A related article here and a related video here.

War Is Coming to Russia, Says Zelensky after Moscow Drone Attack

THE TELEGRAPH: Sergei Sobyanin, mayor of the Russian capital, accuses Ukraine of strike on Moscow-City financial district

Volodymyr Zelensky said war was coming to Russia after suspected Ukrainian drones smashed into skyscrapers in a wealthy Moscow neighbourhood that is home to government offices.

Hours after two drones hit the Russian capital, the Ukrainian president said: “Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia, to its symbolic centres and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process.”

“After the blast, there were vibrations and I felt the bed move,” Ksenia, who was woken up by the pre-dawn, told the Bereg website. “I thought my building was collapsing.”

Roman said that he was now worried that the drone attack would happen again. “I have repeatedly said that it is not very safe here,” he said. “I want to leave Russia. We planned to do this in November but most likely this will now happen earlier.” (With video) » | James Kilner | Sunday, July 30, 2023

Zelensky Sacks UK Ambassador after Row over 'Gratitude'

THE TELEGRAPH: Vadym Prystaiko criticised the Ukrainian president over his 'sarcasm' in repsonse to Ben Wallace suggesting Kyiv should show more gratitude

President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Vadym Prystaiko as Ukraine’s ambassador to Britain on Friday, days after the envoy publicly criticised the president.

A presidential order, which said Prystaiko had also been removed as Ukraine’s representative to the International Maritime Organization, gave no reason for the dismissal. » | Telegraph’s Foreign Staff | Friday, July 21, 2023

Ukraine's Zelenskyy Accuses Arab Nations of Turning [a] Blind [Eye] to [the] Russia[n] Invasion - BBC News

May 19, 2023 | Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused some Arab leaders of "turning a blind eye" to Russia's invasion of his country. Mr Zelensky made a surprise visit to the Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia on Friday. Of the Arab League nations, only Syria has openly supported Russia's invasion. Other member nations have sought to maintain good relations with Moscow.

Ukraine Passes LGBTQ+ Hate Speech Ban in ‘Big Step’ for Equality

Ukraine has passed a new LGBTQ+ rights law. (Getty)
PINK NEWS: Ukraine has passed a bill banning hate speech against LGBTQ+ people in the media.

The legislation, banning hate speech and incitement based on sexual orientation and gender identity, was unanimously approved on 15 December, LGBTQ Nation reported.

“It’s a big step for Ukraine, to start adoption of our legislation to European values,” Olena Shevchenko, chair of Ukrainian LGBTQ+ rights group Insight, told The Washington Blade.

“We hope our government will recognise LGBTQI people as equal as soon as possible.”

The bill comes after the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, confirmed that he will ask Ukraine’s government to look into legalising same-sex marriage after the war with Russia ends.

Over the summer, a petition calling for the legalisation of marriage equality in Ukraine gained more than 28,000 signatures, passing the 25,000 threshold required for it to be considered by the president. » | Emily Chudy | Thursday, December 22, 2022