Tag: Zelensky

Putin accuses Ukraine of wasting ‘opportunity’ for talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday accused Ukrainian authorities of wasting “an opportunity” to hold talks after Moscow’s invasion of its pro-Western neighbour. The Kremlin said that Putin had briefed Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett about “the course of a special military operation to protect Donbas”. During the call, the statement said, he “also noted that the Russian delegation is in the Belarus city of Gomel and is ready for negotiations with representatives of Kyiv, […]

Zelensky says Russia striking residential areas in Ukraine

  KYIV, Ukraine (AFP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that Moscow was bombarding residential areas in Ukraine as its invading forces sought to push deeper into the pro-Western country. “The past night in Ukraine was brutal, again shooting, again bombardments of residential areas, civilian infrastructure,” Zelensky said in an address posted online. “Today, there is not a single thing in the country that the occupiers do not consider an acceptable target. They fight […]

Defiant Zelensky vows ‘I’m here’ after Russian attack

After Ukrainian forces said they had repulsed a Russian attack on their capital Saturday, President Volodymyr Zelensky shot a selfie-style video to vow to stay and fight on. “I am here. We will not lay down any weapons. We will defend our state, because our weapons are our truth,” he declared, denouncing as disinformation claims that he had surrendered or fled. “A lot of fake information has appeared on the internet saying that I allegedly […]

JUST IN: Zelensky asks Europeans with ‘combat experience’ to fight for Ukraine

  KYIV, Ukraine (AFP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday called on Europeans with “combat experience” to fight for Ukraine as invading Russian forces threatened Kyiv. “If you have combat experience in Europe and do not want to look at the indecision of politicians, you can come to our country and join us in defending Europe, where it is very necessary now,” Zelensky said in a statement put out by his press office. © […]

President Zelensky says Ukraine ‘left alone’ to fight Russia

Ukraine’s president said Friday his country had been left on its own to fight Russia after the Kremlin launched a large-scale invasion that killed 130 Ukrainians in the first day. “We have been left alone to defend our state,” Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address to the nation after midnight. “Who is ready to fight alongside us? I don’t see anyone. Who is ready to give Ukraine a guarantee of NATO membership? Everyone is […]

Ukraine’s president says Russian ‘sabotage groups’ in Kyiv

Russian “sabotage groups” have entered Kyiv, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Friday. In a video address to the nation after midnight, a sombre-looking Zelensky said “the enemy’s sabotage groups have entered Kyiv” and urged residents to be vigilant and observe curfew rules. acl/md/ah © Agence France-Presse

Ukraine leader says ‘new iron curtain’ cutting off Russia

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said Thursday that Russia’s invasion had severed Moscow from the rest of the international community. “What do we hear today? It’s not just rocket explosions, combat and the roar of aircraft. This is the sound of a new iron curtain lowering and closing Russia off from the civilised world,” he said in a video address. ant-del/jbr/bp © Agence France-Presse

Trump impeachment witnesses lose their jobs

  by Sebastian Smith / Anita Chang Beattie Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump on Friday fired two of the highest profile witnesses in his impeachment probe, sparking accusations that he is on a campaign of revenge. Trump recalled his ambassador to the European Union, Gordon Sondland, just hours after Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, a decorated soldier who worked at the National Security Council, was ordered out of the […]

Ukraine demands punishment, compensation for airliner downed by Iran

  KIEV, Ukraine (AFP) — President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded Saturday that Iran punish those responsible for the downing of a Ukrainian airliner, pay compensation and apologise. “We expect Iran… to bring the guilty to the courts,” the Ukrainian leader wrote on Facebook, calling also for the “payment of compensation” and the return of remains. Tehran admitted Saturday that it accidentally downed the Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) plane, killing all 176 people on board on Wednesday, […]

Ukraine says Trump impeachment ‘internal US issue’

  KIEV, Ukraine (AFP) — Ukraine on Thursday brushed off the impeachment of Donald Trump an a US “internal issue”, despite the process being triggered by a telephone conversation between the American leader and his Ukrainian counterpart. Trump was impeached on Wednesday by the House of Representatives for abuse of power over the July conversation with President Volodymyr Zelensky. “Ukraine does not interfere in the internal affairs of any state,” Zelensky’s spokeswoman Yuliya Mendel told […]

2 top US diplomats testify vs Trump in impeachment probe

  by Chris Lefkow Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Two top US diplomats delivered gripping testimony Wednesday about Donald Trump’s efforts to get Ukraine to investigate his potential 2020 rival Joe Biden, as the impeachment inquiry into the president shifted into a new phase of high-stakes televised hearings. Trump dismissed the probe in the Democratic-led House of Representatives as a “witch hunt” and said he was “too busy” to watch the first […]

From comic to commander-in-chief: Ukraine comedian with no political experience wins presidency in landslide

  by Oleksandr SAVOCHENKO Agence France Presse KIEV, Ukraine (AFP) — Ukraine’s election has catapulted Volodymyr Zelensky, a 41-year-old standup comedian and television star with no political experience, into the nation’s top job. As leader of a country dependent on international aid and battling separatists, Zelensky will have to deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, deep economic problems and possibly rebellious elites. Here is a look at the main challenges facing Ukraine’s sixth president: – War […]