Zelensky says he's Russia's 'No. 1 target' but will stay in Kyiv - and he's calling for talks with Putin

https://www.stamfordAdvocate.com ^ | Feb. 25, 2022 | Robyn Dixon and Ellen Francis

[UMCRevMom@aol.com]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged to remain in the capital even as Russian troops fought to enter Kyiv, Zelensky said, "The enemy identifies me as the number one target."

"They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state," Zelensky told Ukrainians in a video during early hours of Friday.

His family was the No. 2 target, he said, but also remained in Ukraine. "My family is not traitors, but citizens of Ukraine. But I have no right to say where they are now."

Zelensky said he was staying "with everyone who is needed for the work of the central government," hours after the Biden administration warned lawmakers that Kyiv could soon fall.

Russian forces pressed closer to the city Friday, waging a full-scale attack that Western officials said sought to topple Ukraine's government. Explosions jolted the city, air raid sirens blared and people shelterrd in deep subway stations. The Defense Ministry said there were "saboteurs" just miles from Kyiv's center.

In a video address, Zelensky called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to sit down for talks.

Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was ready to send a delegation to Minsk for talks, but made clear it still expected "demilitarization and denazification" of Ukraine.

Before the onslaught of tanks and troops, Putin had demanded Ukraine abandon any aspirations for joining NATO, give up all weapons and recognize Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014, as part of Russia.

NATO and Europe had left his country alone to defend itself. Zelensky added, warning that the sanctions by Western allies were not enough to stop the violence. He urged European governments to do more, from withdrawing ambassadors to imposing an oil embargo and airspace closures.

How are you going to defend yourselves when you're so slow to help us in Ukraine?" he asked.

[Mopp4]

I can’t help compare Zelensky staying with a shooting war in his capital to Trudeau who fled his capital because some truckers who spoke mean about him were coming.........

[Mouton]

The first guy who takes a standing 8 count rarely wins the match.

If Putin is remotely serious about responding to such an offer it would come with more deal breakers than a porcupine has quills. The first one would be Zelinsky steps down and Ukraine submit to a provisional government. IOW Putin wins.

If not, he just continues. Result the same in some time.

[Mouton]

The first guy who takes a standing 8 count rarely wins the match.

If Putin is remotely serious about responding to such an offer it would come with more deal breakers than a porcupine has quills. The first one would be Zelinsky steps down and Ukraine submit to a provisional government. IOW Putin wins.

If not, he just continues. Result the same in some time.

[Georgia Girl 2]

I think there’s every chance Zelensky will come out of this OK. He’s not the bad guy. He’s stuck with the deep state and Putin is taking care of that right now.