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Ukraine “is not afraid of anything or anyone,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday.
The Ukrainian leader spoke this way hours following Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the recognition of independence to the pro-Russian provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk, located in eastern Ukraine.
Zelensky demanded “clear support” from his allies in the West.
In a speech following speaking with world leaders, the Ukrainian president said his country will keep its borders as they are.
He called Russia’s actions “a violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
“It is very important now to see who is our true friend and partner and who will continue to bully the Russian Federation with words alone,” Zelensky said in a televised address late at night.
Earlier, Putin also delivered a lengthy television message expressing Russian support for Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as calling the Ukrainian government a “puppet” of the West.
image source, EPA
According to a decree published by the Kremlin on Monday followingnoon, the president also ordered the Russian Defense Ministry to mobilize forces to these areas to carry out “peacekeeping” functions.
In his speech, the Russian president said that “Ukraine had never had a true tradition as a state” and that modern Ukraine was “created” by Russia.
Russia had already deployed more than 150,000 troops to the borders with Ukraine, while the United States and its European and NATO allies have been offering material and diplomatic support to Kiev in the face of what they have described as an “imminent threat” to its territorial integrity. .
The West fears that the recognition of the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk will serve as a pretext for Russia to invade both territories, with the excuse of defending the Russophone population.
The US, UK, Canada and the European Union announced that they are preparing sanctions once morest Moscow.
Reports from Donetsk indicate that convoys of armored military vehicles have been seen entering its main city.
Fear in Ukraine
Sarah Rainsford, BBC Kyiv Correspondent
Sorrow, worry and anger is what is perceived in the mood of the people here in Ukraine.
Things have moved so fast that we haven’t had an official response yet. President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with his security council before his message.
Other politicians are extremely concerned, calling on Ukraine’s allies in the West to stop what they see as an almost unstoppable Russian advance. Some of them warn of the possibility even of a world war.
It is a very strong language used by politicians here in Ukraine. If this is regarding Russia testing the West, this is really a watershed moment as far as Ukraine is concerned in terms of how its allies respond.
image source, Archyde.com
“To defend peace in Europe, stop Putin and his war,” read the banner at a demonstration in Kiev.
