Zelensky meets via telematics with US congressmen to ask for military support and more economic sanctions on Russia
Even heaven has become hell in Ukraine. “Close the skies or give us planes,” the country’s president, Volodimir Zelenski, asked, almost begged, to members of the United States Congress with whom he held a telematic meeting this Saturday. He insisted on the imposition of a no-fly zone over his territory to prevent Russian bombing and called for tougher sanctions. Closing down Ukrainian airspace would be, Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin has warned, an act of war. More tension.
The video conference lasted for about an hour. Zelensky wants Putin’s punishment to affect the energy sector with an embargo on Russian oil. In addition, he requests that all commercial transactions (including those carried out by Visa and Mastercard) be suspended. And, above all, he calls for arms support. He calls for fighter jets to stop Russia in the air.
“Zelenski has thanked the United States for its help and has asked for more support in security matters,” said a Senate source quoted by the newspaper ‘The New York Post’. During the meeting, dozens of congressmen activated their microphones to thank the Ukrainian leader. They even dedicated a “Slava Ukraini (Glory to Ukraine)” to him, a gesture that moved him. It was the first conversation between Zelensky and US congressmen since the start of the Russian invasion on February 24.
But don’t just look for words. He prefers airplanes. He proposed to the congressmen that they mediate with the governments of countries such as Poland, Romania and Slovakia so that they give Ukraine part of their aerial arsenal, made up of many devices from the Soviet era. “Now we are all one big army. The Ukrainian people today are the embodiment of unity for democracy throughout the world,” Zelensky argued.
safety at stake
Several congressmen were criticized for posting images of that meeting on social networks. The president of Ukraine is a target of the Russian secret services, who have already tried to make an attempt on his life. Any details about his current location may compromise his safety.
But not even then does the activity of the Ukrainian president cease. He addressed thousands of people gathered in cities like Prague (Czech Republic) and Tbilisi (Georgia) through a video. Czech protesters gathered in Wenceslas Square waving Ukrainian, Czech and Slovak flags. ‘Armed’ with flowers, stuffed animals and inscriptions of support for Ukraine.
Georgian citizens gathered on Rustaveli Avenue, where the country’s president, Salome Zourabichvili, communicated electronically with the attendees. “Today (Saturday) I am where Georgia should be, next to President Zelensky of Ukraine. For the dignity of our culture, our tradition and our nation,” stressed the Georgian president, according to ‘The Georgian Times’.
The Ukrainian news chain ‘Ukrinform’ also reported on the demonstrations that took place in other European points, such as Frankfurt, Lyon, Vienna, Bratislava or Vilnius. Zelensky’s message was heard in all these cities: “If the Ukraine falls, Europe will fall.”
“I want to observe a second minute of silence in honor of our civilians, adults and children, hundreds of people who have given their lives and received eternal peace. I ask you to honor his memory in silence », he requested before thousands of Europeans.
Serbia and the ‘Z’
The scenario was very different in Serbia. Here citizens of that country took to the streets of Belgrade in support of Russia. The demonstration was called next to the monument of Tsar Nicholas II, according to the Serbian chain RTS. Several banners bore the ‘Z’ symbol, which identifies Russian tanks that have invaded Ukraine.
The anthem of the Soviet Union was also played and Russian patriotic songs were played. The rally was called by several right-wing and far-right organizations. “Russia is ridding the entire world of NATO threats,” they cried. There were no incidents.
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