Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said in a message on Tuesday evening that the situation in Donetsk remains difficult, but he praised Soledar’s fighters for their “courage and resilience” in continuing to defend the city, which Moscow says is on the brink of capture. . At the same time, Zelensky warned that Russia is not backing down from anything and is preparing for a new escalation, so the Ukrainian leader once again begged Western leaders to get more military equipment for Ukraine to resist Russian aggression, News.ro reports.

Volodymyr Zelenskyi said that on Tuesday he held talks with four European leaders, whom he informed about the situation on the battlefield – “about the difficult situation in the Donetsk region, about the constant attacks of Russia and the fact that Russia does not consider its own people, it does not spare the local residents and does not shy away from any criminal acts.”

The president told the Ukrainians that on this occasion he made a new request for an increase in weapons.

“This (Russian aggression – no) can happen – and it is necessary! – opposes only the new level of modern military equipment that Ukraine can get from its partners. I thank all the leaders who help us, because they understood that now is the time for new strong decisions, for new strong support. The free world has what it takes to stop Russian aggression and bring the terrorist state to a historic defeat. And it is important not only for us. This is important for global democracy, for all those who value freedom. This is even more important now, when Russia is gathering forces for a new escalation,” said the Kyiv leader.

“Together with our partners, we must do – and we do! – all in order to show the hosts of Russia that no escalation will help them. The defeat of Russian aggression must remain unshakable, regardless of who and what Russia tries to throw into the battle,” Zelensky emphasized.

The Ukrainian leader noted that since his December visit to Washington, he had already held about thirty negotiations with leaders and representatives of partner states and assured that every day he “literally feels” how the world’s determination to overcome Russian aggression is growing.

“Russia is trying to exhaust us all: Ukrainians, Europeans, other partners”

His interlocutors on Tuesday were the President of the European Council, the Prime Minister of Belgium, the President of Estonia and the Prime Minister of Ireland.

“I am grateful to the President of the European Council for understanding how important it is to maintain unwavering support for Ukraine. In this confrontation, in which Russia is trying to exhaust all of us – Ukrainians, Europeans, other partners – there must be clear signals, signals that we will go to the end to defeat Russian terror,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized in a new hint about the importance of preserving European solidarity .

“We will go together and maintain stability in Ukraine – financial and social. And that’s why financial support was one of the main topics of my conversation with Charles Michel, along with weapons and the continuation of Ukraine’s European integration,” Zelenskyy detailed.

“I am sure that Belgium will help us achieve a just peace. And I am grateful for the desire to really bring peace by increasing the armed support of our state. Belgian aid in the field of defense, which has already been offered, has significantly strengthened our state, and today we agreed that our teams will work on a new proposal,” the Ukrainian leader said, recalling the conversation with the Belgian prime minister.

Kyiv insists that Soledar is still holding on

“I thank Estonia for the very powerful representation of Ukraine’s interests in Europe. Even when someone doubts, Estonia finds arguments to support Ukraine and increase the sanctions pressure on Russia,” Zelensky emphasized, showing that he spoke with the president of the small Baltic state about Ukraine’s European integration.

“I am grateful to the new Prime Minister of Ireland for his willingness to continue comprehensive support for Ukraine. We agreed on powerful energy support. And I thanked Ireland for freezing Russian assets – we will work together to ensure that these funds are directed to the restoration of Ukraine,” Zelensky said about the conversation with the head of government in Dublin.

“I thank everyone who helps us defend Ukraine and freedom! I thank everyone who fights for independence! Today I want to pay special tribute to the soldiers of the 46th Separate Airborne Brigade for their courage and resilience in the defense of Soledar! Thank you, fighters!” said the Ukrainian leader, as both Moscow and London estimate that this city is on the verge of being lost. However, in Kyiv they claim that Soledar is resisting.

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