After continued air attacks, the Russian military is closing in on Ukraine’s capital. Today marks the third day of the Russia-Ukraine war and there are “growing signs” that Russia wants to overthrow the Ukraine President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reports Al Jazeera. While there were rumours of the President fleeing the country and abandoning its citizens, Zelenskyy came forward to prove everyone wrong.
Excellent speech by the President of Ukraine to the people of Russia. One for the history books. pic.twitter.com/EPCUuG8Cdy
— veeresh patil ❁ (@astitvam__1) February 26, 2022
First, he went on to address European Union leaders in a video call and said that it might be the last time they see him alive, reported WION.
BREAKING: In a video conference call last night Ukraine President Zelensky told EU leaders: "This might be the last time you see me alive", two sources briefed on the call told me
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) February 25, 2022
Next, he shared a self-shot video addressing the citizens of Ukraine from Kyiv and vowed to stay and defend the capital against the Russian military. Alongside him were present his prime minister, chief of staff and other senior aides. He was dressed in olive green military-style clothing, reports NDTV.
“We’re all here. Our military is here. Citizens in society are here. We’re all here defending our independence, our country, and it will stay this way,” he said.
"The president is here." President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine posted a video on social media showing him standing alongside other government officials, saying that the country’s leaders had not fled Kyiv as Russian forces entered the city. https://t.co/VPxc01QGAG pic.twitter.com/F91xlEp7we
— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 25, 2022
Later, a picture of him wearing military guard and standing on the street went viral. While the exact location and other details of the picture aren’t verified, it seems recent as he is seen wearing the military bullet-proof jacket and helmet over the clothes he wore in the earlier self-shot video.
What’s even more heroic is that President Zelenskyy rejected the US government’s offer to evacuate him from the country. When the US asked Zelenskyy to leave Ukraine, the President said, “The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride,” reported Hindustan Times.
I love Russia & big fan of Putin but this is Extraordinary
Ukraine’s President Zelensky rejected America’s offer to evacuate him from Kyiv
He said- I might be killed but I can’t abandon my people when our country is going thru darkest hour
Respect❤️🙏
That’s like a True Leader ! pic.twitter.com/5qHnnU2STT— Major Surendra Poonia (@MajorPoonia) February 26, 2022
He is the kind of leader the world needs more of.