Tag: Zelensky

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Zelensky to address UN Security Council

“I would like to emphasise that we are interested in the most complete, transparent investigation, the results of which will be known and explained to the entire international community,” said Zelensky…reports Asian Lite News

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he will address an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday.

In his nightly video address, the President said that it is in Ukraine’s interest to have an open and transparent investigation into the alleged killing of civilians in Bucha city, located about 60 km from Kiev, reports the BBC.

“I would like to emphasise that we are interested in the most complete, transparent investigation, the results of which will be known and explained to the entire international community,” he said.

“There will come a time when every Russian will learn the whole truth about who of their fellow citizens killed. Who was the one who ordered. Who closed their eyes to murder.

“We will set it all up. And we’ll make it globally famous. It’s the year 2022 now. And we have far more tools than those who held the Nazis accountable since WWII,” the President added.

His announcement comes after he made a trip to Bucha on Monday.

During the visit, Zelensky “inspected the road with the destroyed Russian equipment and talked to the locals”, reports Ukrayinska Pravda.

The city of Bucha, along with Monastyrskyi, Irpin, Hostomel, Borodyanka, Makariv, Kopyliv, Motyzhyn, all in the Kiev region, were liberated from Russian forces on April 2.

Later that day, Bucha Mayor Anatoliy Fedoruk announced that a mass grave was discovered in the city where almost 300 people were buried.

On April 3, Iryna Venediktova, the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, said that the bodies of 410 civilians killed in Bucha have been taken to be examined by forensic experts, adding that any evidence gathered will be recorded for the ongoing case of Russian war crimes.

According to the Prosecutor General, there is “crucial evidence of brutal war crimes perpetrated by the Russian Federation in the liberated territories of the Kiev region”.

Zelensky has termed the killings as “genocide”.

ALSO READ: The many victims of the Russia-Ukraine war

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-Top News Europe UK News

UK PM’s pat for Zelensky

Ukraine claims its military has retaken the entire region around the capital, as Russia has withdrawn from key towns..reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Boris Johnson congratulated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for successfully pushing back Russian forces from key regions in the country, including the capital city of Kyiv.

In a telephone call amid reports of Ukrainian forces gaining control of Kyiv, Johnson noted that huge challenges remain in other parts of the country in the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Both leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to ratchet up sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin to increase the economic pressure on his war machine.

“The Prime Minister spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy again this evening. He congratulated Ukraine’s brave armed forces for successfully pushing back Russia’s invading army in a number of areas, but recognised the huge challenges that remain and the immense suffering being inflicted on civilians, a Downing Street spokesperson said.

The Prime Minister updated President Zelenskyy on the progress made at last week’s military donor conference, convened by the UK with 35 countries, and committed to continue to step up defensive support. President Zelenskyy underscored the urgency of Ukraine’s fight for its survival as a free and democratic nation and the importance of international assistance, the spokesperson said.

Zelenskyy is also said to have updated Johnson on the status of peace negotiations and welcomed further UK involvement in the ongoing diplomatic efforts.

“Both leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to ratchet up sanctions to increase the economic pressure on Putin’s war machine, so long as Russian troops remain on Ukrainian territory, the official added.

Ukraine claims its military has retaken the entire region around the capital, as Russia has withdrawn from key towns.

However, as the Russian forces retreat, there are reports emerging from the ground of mounting civilian attacks.

The UK and other NATO allies have warned Russia against such war crimes, with Britain pledging to fully support any investigations by the International Criminal Court.

As Russian troops are forced into retreat, we are seeing increasing evidence of appalling acts by the invading forces in towns such as Irpin and Bucha, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement.

Their indiscriminate attacks against innocent civilians during Russia’s illegal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine must be investigated as war crimes. We will not allow Russia to cover up their involvement in these atrocities through cynical disinformation and will ensure that the reality of Russia’s actions are brought to light, she said.

“The UK-led effort to expedite and support an International Criminal Court investigation into crimes in Ukraine was the largest State referral in its history. We will not rest until those responsible for atrocities, including military commanders and individuals in the Putin regime, have faced justice, she added.

The minister, who returned from a whistle-stop visit to India earlier this week, reiterated that it was essential that the international community continues to provide Ukraine with the humanitarian and military support it so dearly needs, and that all countries step up sanctions to cut off funding for Putin’s war machine at source.

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-Top News Europe

 Zelensky refutes chemical weapon charge

Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine.(photo:Facebook)

In its latest allegation, the Russian Defence Ministry claimed on Thursday that the US was helping Ukraine to develop biological weapons and use virus-carrying birds that migrate through Russia…reports Asian Lite News

Reacting to Russia’s allegations that biological weapons were made in Ukrainian laboratories, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that “no chemical or any other weapons of mass destruction were developed” in his country.

In his latest video address posted on Facebook on Friday morning, Zelensky said: “I am the President of an adequate country, an adequate nation. And the father of two children. And no chemical or any other weapons of mass destruction were developed on my land.

“The whole world knows that. You know that. And if Russia do something like that against us, it will get the most severe sanctions response.”

Responding further to Russia’s claims that “recently found documents” showed components of biological weapons were made in Ukrainian laboratories with funding from the US Department of Defense, the President said that “this makes me really worried, because we’ve been repeatedly convinced: if you want to know Russia’s plans, look at what Russia accuses others of (doing)”.

“What are these allegations of preparing chemical attacks? Have you decided to carry out ‘de-chemicalisation’ of Ukraine? Using ammonia? Using phosphorus? What else have you prepared for us?” he questioned Russia which has continued to wage its war against Ukraine for 16 days now.

In its latest allegation, the Russian Defence Ministry claimed on Thursday that the US was helping Ukraine to develop biological weapons and use virus-carrying birds that migrate through Russia, the BBC reported.

The Ministry, however did not provide any evidence to support the claim.

Earlier, Russia had claimed that more than 30 laboratories in Lviv, Kharkiv and Poltava were working with dangerous infectious agents as part of a US-led military biological programme.

Meanwhile, Dmitry Polyansky, Russia’s deputy ambassador to the UN, requested the world body to convene an emergency Security Council meeting on Friday to “discuss the military biological activities of the US on the territory of Ukraine”.

The US has called the allegations “preposterous”, with White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki saying in a tweet on Wednesday that it is the “kind of disinformation operation we’ve seen repeatedly from the Russians over the years in Ukraine and in other countries, which have been debunked”.

She said “we should all be on the lookout for Russia to possibly use chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine, or to create a false flag operation using them. It’s a clear pattern”.

While testifying to the US Senate Intelligence Committee earlier on Thursday, CIA Director William Burns described Russia’s accusations as “false flag efforts in the creation of false narratives”.

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Do more, Zelensky urges Europe

Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine.(photo:Facebook)

The President went on to say that “everything that the invaders are doing to Mariupol is beyond atrocities already”….reports Asian Lite News

 In his latest video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged European leaders to do more against Moscow’s continued military assault on Kiev and referred to the Russian bombing of a maternity hospital in the besieged city of Mariupol as an act of “war crime”.

The air strike on Wednesday has caused “colossal damage”, including burned out buildings, destroyed cars and a huge crater outside the hospital, the BBC quoted the Mariupol city council as saying.

Ukrainian media, citing local officials, said that 17 people were injured, including staff and patients.

In his address early Thursday morning, Zelensky said: “Europeans! You won’t be able to say that you didn’t see what happened to Ukrainians, what happened to Mariupol residents. You saw. You know.

“We have not done and never would have done anything similar to this war crime to any of the cities of the Donetsk, Luhansk or any other region.

“To any of the cities on earth.”

The President went on to say that “everything that the invaders are doing to Mariupol is beyond atrocities already”.

Europeans! Ukrainians! Mariupol residents! Today, we must be united in condemning this war crime of Russia, which reflects all the evil that the invaders brought to our land.”

He further called on the West to increase sanctions on Russia, and to “put pressure” on Moscow to force it to negotiate and end the war.

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India News

Zelensky speaks to Modi seeking political support at UNSC

The Russian Embassy in India said in a tweet on Saturday, “Highly appreciate India’s independent and balanced position at the voting in the UNSC on February 25, 2022.”…reports Asian Lite News

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday said that he has spoken to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Russia’s aggression and sought “political support” at the United Nations Security Council (UNGC).

He revealed speaking to Modi soon after Russia praised India’s decision to abstain from a vote at the United Nations to condemn its invasion.

He said that he spoke with Prime Minister Modi and informed about Ukraine repulsing Russia’s aggression.

Zelensky tweeted: “More than 100,000 invaders are on our land. They insidiously fire on residential buildings.”

He urged India to provide political support in the UNSC, saying: “Stop the aggressor together!”

India’s ministry of External Affairs tweeted: “President Zelenskyy briefed the Prime Minister in detail about the ongoing conflict situation in Ukraine.”

Modi expressed his deep anguish about the loss of life and property due to the ongoing conflict. He reiterated his call for an immediate cessation of violence and a return to dialogue, and expressed India’s willingness to contribute in any way possible towards peace efforts.

The Prime Minister also conveyed India’s deep concern for the safety and security of Indian citizens, including students, who are stranded in Ukraine. Modi sought facilitation by the Ukrainian authorities to expeditiously and safely evacuate Indian citizens

India had abstained from voting on the UNSC resolution that deplored in the strongest terms Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, saying dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and disputes.

The Russian Embassy in India said in a tweet on Saturday, “Highly appreciate India’s independent and balanced position at the voting in the UNSC on February 25, 2022.”

It further stated, “In the spirit of the special and privileged strategic partnership Russia is committed to maintain a close dialogue with India on the situation around Ukraine.”

The UNSC voted on the draft resolution presented by the US and Albania, and co-sponsored by several other nations, including Australia, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Romania and the United Kingdom.

While Russia, which chaired the meeting of the UNSC since it holds the presidency for the month of February, vetoed the resolution, China and the UAE abstained along with India.

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