Ukraine can protect Europe, so it’s time to give it weapons − Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on the world to not be afraid of the events that are currently unfolding in Russia and stressed that Ukraine can protect Europe from Russian forces – as long as the world stands united in supporting Ukrainian people and supplying Ukraine with all the weapons it needs.
Source: President Zelenskyy’s video address
Quote from Zelenskyy: "[T]he world should not be afraid. We know that only our unity can protect us.
Ukraine will definitely be able to protect Europe from any Russian forces, regardless of who commands them. We will protect [Europe]. The security of Europe’s eastern flank depends only on our defence [capabilities]. And that is why every time [Europe] supports our defence [forces] it is supporting [its own] defence, [and the defence of] everyone in the free world.
Ukrainian soldiers, Ukrainian guns, Ukrainian tanks, and Ukrainian missiles are protecting Europe from charges like the one happening today in Russia. And when we ask for F-16 fighter jets or ATACMS, we are working on enhancing our common defence [capabilities]. Real and necessary defence. Now is the time to provide all the weapons [Ukraine needs] for defence."
Details: Zelenskyy also said it was time "for everyone in the world to frankly say that all of Russia's criminal actions against Ukraine were and are unprovoked" and to address the issue of Ukraine’s NATO membership during the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius.
"NATO is not just a word or a set of formal promises. These are robust guarantees for everyone that peace will not be destroyed. Without Ukraine, these guarantees are worthless. The July summit in Vilnius is a historic opportunity to make real decisions without recourse to [what] Russia [might think or do in response]. All nations that share a border with Russia staunchly support this," Zelenskyy stressed.
The Ukrainian President also thanked Ukrainian soldiers who continue fighting Russian occupation forces and Ukraine’s Air Force, which is protecting Ukraine’s skies.
- On the evening of 23 June, Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed that the regular Russian army had launched a missile strike on the Wagner mercenaries’ rear camps. He has therefore deployed 25,000 of his mercenaries "to restore justice".
- Prigozhin claimed that his forces had taken control of military facilities in Rostov-on-Don, including the air base, and were heading "to Moscow" and that his soldiers had shot down three Russian helicopters. Wagner mercenaries have also seized military facilities in the Russian city of Voronezh.
- In a special address on 24 June, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia is "fighting for survival" and that there are attempts to "organise a rebellion" in the country.
- UK Defence Intelligence reported that Wagner Group fighters are aiming to reach Moscow.
- On the afternoon of 24 June, Russian media reported that the Office of the President of the Russian Federation anticipates that Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Wagner Group fighters will likely reach Moscow’s outskirts in the next few hours, with fighting expected near Russia’s capital. Ukrainian intelligence has information that Putin has urgently left Moscow for his residence in Valdai.
- On 24 June, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced that a "counter-terrorism operation" had been introduced in the Russian capital. Roads in the Moscow region are being blocked to prevent Wagner forces from advancing on the Russian capital.
- On 24 June, Moscow Mayor Serhiy Sobyanin announced that a counter-terrorism operation (CTO) had been introduced within the capital. Roads have begun to be blocked in the suburbs of Moscow.
- Excavators have dug up a road in Russia’s Lipetsk Oblast where a Wagner Group convoy was spotted earlier on 24 June.
- Railways stations in Rostov-on-Don are overflowing with people who want to leave the city, and there are also long queues at a train station on the outskirts of the city.
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